Here is what to do on Maha Shivaratri. Dr. Pillai says this night is fully charged, and if you do not meditate any other time, you should do so on this night.
If you have been wondering what to do on Maha Shivaratri (also known as the Great Night of Shiva), this blog post will guide you.
Dr. Pillai has said that this night is fully charged with the karma-removing power of Shiva. If you do not meditate at any other time of the year, you will want to make an exception for Maha Shivaratri.
Why Meditate on Maha Shivaratri?
Shiva is an archetype of infinite mercy and compassion, and most importantly, one that erases karma. By taking advantage of this one special night, you have the potential to dissolve all negative patterns completely and enjoy the freedom to create the life you want.
Maha Shivaratri is the sacred night of Lord Shiva, the Destroyer in Hinduism, who is recognized for his unlimited powers that include creation and preservation of the Cosmos. Maha Shivaratri is when his blessings are amplified, prompting Yogis and Siddhas to perform nightly vigils and to schedule the most powerful offerings during a time that ensures auspicious results.
Shiva Consciousness and the Abishekam Offering
To millions of Hindus the world over, Shiva is synonymous with God and God-consciousness. And for anyone seeking the ultimate experience, this is the night when cosmic conditions are optimal to put you in touch with the Light of Arul, God-consciousness.
And since this is the night to make offerings to Shiva, here is one recommended by Dr. Pillai: Abishekam, a hydration ceremony that brings life to a statue. Just as water gives life to plants and animals, the same principle is at work in the hydration ceremony.
Abishekam Hydration Ceremony Instructions
Here is what you need:
- Crystal Siva Linga (If you don’t have a Siva Lingam, you can use a Siva Yantra or smooth, round stone.)
- Water
- Milk
- Plate
- Cloth
Procedure:
- Bathe, or wash your hands and feet, before the ritual.
- Sit down and place the Crystal Siva Linga on a plate, with the pointed bottom part facing East.
- Chant Om Namashivaya as you pour water, then milk, over the Siva Lingam in a steady flow.
- Finally, rinse the Siva Lingam with water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
- Make a heartfelt request to Siva for miracles on this night of transformation.
*You can do this ritual during the peak hours of 12 midnight to 3 am in your time zone.
Other Ways to Connect with Shiva on Maha Shivaratri
Use the Thiru Neela Kantam mantra to remove karma. It’s pronounced TEE-roo NEE-lah KAHN-tahm. Don’t just chant it every once in a while. Slip it into your day during any “downtime,” so it creates a powerful momentum that cleanses your karma. Use the mantra any time you are not busy with something you cannot do simultaneously. If you have a specific problem in mind, you can set the intent to cleanse the karmic thought patterns behind it.
Do the Om Namasivaya Meditation. Dr. Pillai says, “You will have a world of benefits come to you. It will burn your karma, your maya, and your ego.”
You can also recite Shiva Purana, Lingashtakam, Bilvastakam, Vishwanathashtakam, Linga Purana, and other scriptures praising Shiva.
Instructions:
Close your eyes. Chant each syllable for a few seconds while focusing on each of the chakras.
At the bottom of the spine – NA
Move to the navel – MA.
Then to the heart – SHI.
Move to the throat, the mouth – VA
Next to the two eyes, and then the Third Eye and the brain – YA
That’s less than a minute. You can prolong your visit to each chakra, and you can also do this meditation multiple times in a row. It is flexible.
Maha Shivaratri as a Night of Inner Focus:
Maha Shivaratri has long been regarded as a rare pause in the rhythm of time—a night when the mind can more easily settle, and awareness can turn inward. Whether through meditation, mantra repetition, scriptural recitation, or the simple yet profound act of Abishekam, the practices associated with this night are meant to support inner cleansing and clarity.
Dr. Pillai’s teachings emphasize that even a small, sincere effort made on Maha Shivaratri can have a lasting impact, particularly when the intention is to release karmic patterns and cultivate awareness of Shiva consciousness. You do not need elaborate preparation or extended rituals; what matters most is presence, focus, and sincerity.
By choosing one or more of these practices and observing this night with mindfulness, Maha Shivaratri can become a meaningful opportunity to reflect, reset, and reconnect with a deeper dimension of consciousness that Shiva represents.
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