Maha Shivaratri Jap Guide: Four Prahars of Om Namah Shivaya
How to observe Maha Shivaratri with japa: the four prahars of the night, suggested counts for Om Namah Shivaya, simple preparation and how to track your chanting.
Maha Shivaratri, “the great night of Shiva,” is among the most loved festivals in the year. Devotees fast, stay awake through the night, bathe the Shiva linga and chant. For people who cannot reach a temple, japa at home is a complete way to observe it.
When it falls
Maha Shivaratri is on the fourteenth night (chaturdashi) of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna (Magha in some calendars), usually in February or March. The exact date changes with the lunar calendar; check the Panchang at Spiritual Marg for the year’s date and the timings of each prahar.
What the night means
Different traditions tell different stories: the night Shiva danced the tandava, the night of Shiva and Parvati’s marriage, or the night a hunter unknowingly worshipped Shiva by dropping bilva leaves. Whichever you hold, the day is about wakefulness, awareness and surrender.
The four prahars
A prahar is roughly a quarter of the night, about three hours. The traditional worship is repeated in each.
| Prahar | Approximate time | Suggested practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Evening to about 9 pm | Offering, then 108 or 1,008 |
| 2nd | 9 pm to midnight | Chant, with milk or water abhishek if possible |
| 3rd | Midnight to 3 am | Chant, with quiet remembrance |
| 4th | 3 am to dawn | Chant, close and give thanks |
Exact times depend on your location and the year’s Panchang.
Preparing
- Bathe and wear clean clothes.
- Fast or eat lightly as your tradition and health allow. Do not strain yourself.
- Prepare a simple space with a lamp, a Shiva image or linga, water or milk, and bilva leaves if you have them.
- Set a sankalp for the night: “I will chant Om Namah Shivaya ___ times in four prahars.”
Chanting plan
Here is a sample plan for a household practice:
| Level | Per prahar | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle | 108 | 432 |
| Steady | 1,008 | 4,032 |
| Devoted | 2,100 | 8,400 |
Choose the number that you can finish with attention. Fewer counts with presence are better than many rushed. See how many malas a day.
How to use the counter
- Open the Om Namah Shivaya counter.
- Set a sankalp for each prahar. Reset or note the total at the end of each.
- Switch on focus mode and keep the screen awake for long chanting.
- Turn on the bell if you like; it rings at every 108.
- Record the total for the night at dawn.
Ways to stay awake
- Alternate between sitting and standing.
- Chant aloud for part of the time, then silently.
- Sing a bhajan or the Shiva aarti between rounds.
- Drink water, and keep the room lit and cool.
- Do not force yourself if you feel unwell.
If you can’t stay up
Observe as much as you can: the evening prahar, the sunrise, or simply a mala before bed. The festival is open to all, and the devotion of a small, honest offering is regarded as complete.
After the night
Break the fast simply at dawn, offer thanks and carry on with a gentle day. Many devotees continue with a regular Monday practice afterwards. For the mantra itself, read Om Namah Shivaya: meaning and how to chant, and for the Mahamrityunjaya, read its jap vidhi.
Om Namah Shivaya.
Ready? Open the Om Namah Shivaya counter and start your first mala.
Start chantingFrequently asked questions
How many times should I chant on Shivaratri?
Many devotees chant 108 or 1,008 times in each of the four prahars. Choose a count you can sustain through the night.
What are the four prahars?
The night is divided into four quarters (prahars) of about three hours each, and worship is offered in each.
Do I have to stay awake all night?
Staying awake (jagaran) is traditional. If you cannot, do what you can and chant in the time you have.
When is Maha Shivaratri?
It falls on the dark fortnight's fourteenth night of the month of Phalguna (Magha in the Purnimanta calendar), usually in February or March. Check a Panchang for the exact date.
