As Mahashivratri approaches, several actors from the entertainment industry open up about their deep spiritual connection with the festival. From fasting and meditation to temple visits and self-reflection, they share how this sacred night influences their personal lives and careers.

Sherleen Dutt

For me, Mahashivratri is deeply spiritual. It’s a time for reflection, devotion, and connecting with Lord Shiva’s energy. I celebrate it by fasting, meditating, and chanting Shiva mantras. I also visit a temple if possible, or create a peaceful space at home to perform prayers. It’s more about inner stillness than external celebration. Mahashivratri holds immense significance in my life. Personally, it strengthens my spiritual connection and brings me a sense of clarity and peace. Professionally, I believe the discipline and devotion practiced during this time help me align my thoughts and energy, which ultimately reflects in my work. Observing this night of Shiva reminds me to surrender, trust the process, and keep moving forward fearlessly. Yes, I do observe fasting. I usually follow a fruit and liquid-based fast, which keeps me energized while shooting. If my schedule is very hectic, I ensure I have coconut water, fruits, and dry fruits at intervals to sustain my energy levels. Also, chanting or simply focusing on Lord Shiva helps me stay mentally strong during the fast.

Raviraa Bhardwaj

Mahashivratri is a deeply spiritual occasion for me. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and devotion to Lord Shiva. I have even celebrated Mahashivratri once at the Pashupatinath Temple, which was a surreal experience filled with divine energy. Personally, it strengthens my spiritual connection and brings inner peace. Professionally, I believe that devotion and positivity help me stay focused and navigate challenges with clarity and strength.Yes, I do observe fasting. Despite my busy shooting schedule, I manage it by planning my day well, staying hydrated, and consuming light, energy-sustaining foods like fruits and nuts. My spiritual inclination helps me stay dedicated to the fast.

Hritik Yadav

It’s a day of connecting with Mahadev through meditation, prayers, and reflection. I start the day by visiting the temple and offering water and bilva leaves to the Shivling. The energy of this day is so powerful. I feel closer to Lord Shiva and more aware of my inner self. Personally, it’s a reminder of Mahadev’s strength, calmness, and wisdom, qualities I try to follow in my life. Professionally, I believe Lord Shiva’s guidance keeps me grounded and focused. This day inspires me to stay patient and dedicated to my craft, no matter how tough things get. His presence gives me the strength to handle challenges with grace. I fast on Mahashivratri and also keep fasts on Mondays. Even with hectic shooting schedules, I make sure to observe the fast. I take light fruits, water, and some coconut water to keep myself going. Meditation and chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” give me a different kind of energy, one that keeps me balanced throughout the day. It can be challenging, but I prepare myself mentally before the fast and stay hydrated. I take breaks for short meditations, which keeps my mind relaxed and my energy steady.

Saanand Verma

Maha Shivratri is very important to me because I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. I believe that Shiva is the ultimate truth, Shiva is beauty, and everything—including all of us and the entire universe—exists because of Him. If it weren’t for Lord Shiva, the poison that emerged from the ocean would have destroyed everything. Lord Shiva contained it in His throat, and there is no power greater than Shiva. Fasting doesn’t cause me any problems; in fact, I’ve observed that my energy levels don’t drop significantly during a fast. I feel great, stay happy, and focus my energy on my creativity. So, there’s no stress for me. Shivratri is a monumental occasion for me. I’m someone who keeps chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ again and again. Everything I am, whatever I have, and whatever I’ve achieved is all because of Mahadev. It’s all His doing. So, I say with all my heart: Har Har Mahadev.

Sneha Jain

Years ago, I used to keep a fast on Mahashivratri—it was the only fast I observed in a year. But due to my work schedule and the fact that I’m already underweight, my body doesn’t support fasting anymore. Mahashivratri is one of the most important and cherished celebrations for me. It’s not just a festival; it’s an experience that brings me peace and happiness. I usually visit a temple at night, where my family’s Panditji performs the Shivling puja and follows all the traditions. It’s something I have been doing for years, and it always fills me with a sense of devotion and gratitude. Even though I don’t fast now, I still make sure to visit the temple, perform puja, and seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. That’s my way of connecting with the divine. It’s a simple yet magical experience that brings me a lot of peace.

Shivangi Verma

For me, Mahashivratri is a very special and spiritual day. It’s a time when I feel deeply connected to Lord Shiva. While some people see it as a big celebration, I take it as a day for self-reflection and inner peace. I believe Mahashivratri is not just about rituals but about understanding Shiva’s energy and wisdom. On a personal level, this festival brings a sense of calm and positivity into my life. It reminds me to stay strong, just like Shiva, and to find peace even in chaos. Professionally, it helps me stay focused and grounded. Acting can be stressful, and I feel that praying and meditating on Mahashivratri gives me inner strength to handle everything better. Yes, I do observe fasting on Mahashivratri. It’s not that difficult and  I have been doing it for years, so I have found ways to manage. I usually drink a lot of water and have fruits or dry fruits to keep my energy up. The best part is that fasting makes me feel light and spiritually strong. It’s like a detox for both the body and the mind.

Anupama Solanki

Mahashivratri is one of the biggest celebration days for me because I am a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Recently, I visited the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain and the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva always protects me and helps me overcome negative energies, but I have never expected anything from Mahadeva. I only seek His blessings and wish for Him to always bless me. I have been fasting for the last 10 years, so I don’t feel any pressure during Mahashivratri fasting. I have good control over my hunger, so I am not too worried about the fast. Yes, it is challenging to stay hungry the whole day, but I eat fruits during my fast, which helps me manage it. I believe everyone should try fasting because it improves gut health. If your gut is healthy, your mind will be more energetic, and you will enjoy better overall health. “Your gut is your second brain,” so fasting makes you stronger both mentally and morally.

Indraxi Kanjilal

Since childhood I have been fasting for Shivratri. Right now when I am fasting during long hours of shooting, it can be strenuous. But I try to be composed during the day. I finish my shooting and go home to be with my mother and we together perform the puja. After the puja I feel calm and collective at the end of the day. I feel Mahadev teaches you  to control the negative thoughts in your mind. Shiva is everything male and female, light and dark, flesh and spirit. One thing that you can learn from Mahadev is to help the ones in need.

Chitra Vakil Sharma

Mahashivratri isn’t just another festival for me—it’s a night of deep connection, surrender, and stillness. It’s when the energy around feels different, more alive, more powerful. The world slows down, but within, something awakens. It’s not just about rituals; it’s about experiencing Shiva—not as a deity sitting far away, but as a presence within. It’s about letting go, quieting the mind, and allowing yourself to dissolve into that stillness. Personally, Mahashivratri is the most important night of the year for me. Being a Shiva bhakt, this night is deeply personal—it’s not about celebration, it’s about surrender. It’s my moment with Him, my chance to step away from everything else and just be. My devotion has taken me to almost all the Jyotirlingas, except one, and to most Shiva temples across the country. Each visit has been an experience, a reminder that Shiva is everywhere, yet within. Not at all. In fact, I feel more energized. The only difference is that I go deeper into my rituals, my silence, my connection. Every Monday, I fast for Shiva, but Mahashivratri is different—it’s bigger, stronger, more intense. It’s the night where nothing else matters. I call myself a Shiva bhakt, and in my heart, I just hope He has accepted me as one.