Festival guide
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, “the great night of Shiva”, is observed on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of Magha (Phalguna in the North Indian purnimanta calendar). Devotees fast and keep vigil through the night.
Maha Shivaratri dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 15 February | Magha Krishna Chaturdashi 15 Feb, 17:05 → 16 Feb, 17:34 |
| 2027 | Saturday 6 March | Magha Krishna Chaturdashi 6 Mar, 12:04 → 7 Mar, 13:46 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at midnight (nishita).
Also known as: Shivaratri, Mahashivratri.
Story and significance
Several stories are told: that Shiva and Parvati were married on this night; that Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light (the jyotirlinga) to Brahma and Vishnu; and that he drank the halahala poison churned from the ocean to protect the world.
How Maha Shivaratri is celebrated
- A day-long fast, broken the next morning
- Abhishekam of the Shiva linga with water, milk, honey, curd and bael (bilva) leaves
- Night vigil (jagaran) divided into four praharas, with worship in each
- Chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and the Mahamrityunjaya mantra
- Large gatherings at the twelve jyotirlinga temples
Recite on Maha Shivaratri: Nirvana Shatakam · Lingashtakam · Shiva Panchakshara Stotram · Shiv Aarti — Om Jai Shiv Omkara
How to perform the puja: Maha Shivaratri Puja Vidhi (Four Prahar Puja) — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivaratri 2026?
Maha Shivaratri 2026 falls on Sunday, 15 February 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Maha Shivaratri 2027?
Maha Shivaratri 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 March 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Maha Shivaratri change every year?
Maha Shivaratri is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Krishna Paksha tithi 14 of Magha (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Maha Shivaratri fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.