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Puja guide · Shiva

Maha Shivaratri Puja Vidhi (Four Prahar Puja)

On Maha Shivaratri devotees fast and keep vigil, worshipping the Shiva linga in each of the four praharas (quarters) of the night. The most sacred time is nishita kaal around midnight. A single evening or midnight puja is also complete.

Dedicated toShiva
Time neededThrough the night, or a single puja of 30–45 minutes
Next date (New Delhi)Sat, 6 Mar 2027

When: Through the night of Maha Shivaratri. The four prahar timings and nishita kaal are calculated below for New Delhi.

Maha Shivaratri 6 March 2027 · New Delhi

First prahar puja18:23 – 21:28
Second prahar puja21:28 – 00:32 (7 Mar)
Third prahar puja00:32 (7 Mar) – 03:36 (7 Mar)
Fourth prahar puja03:36 (7 Mar) – 06:40 (7 Mar)
Nishita kaal00:07 (7 Mar) – 00:56 (7 Mar)

Times depend on your location. See the Panchang for this date in your city, or the Maha Shivaratri guide.

Samagri (items needed)

· ·

Prasad & naivedya

Fruit (especially ber), thandai, and sweets made with milk.

Aarti & stotras

Mantra

Om Namah Shivaya with the mantra counter

Step-by-step puja vidhi

  1. Vow and fast

    Take a sankalpa in the morning to fast and worship Shiva. Many keep a fruit-and-milk fast; some fast without water.

  2. Abhishekam

    Bathe the linga with water, then milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar, with water between each, chanting the Panchakshara mantra.

    ॐ नमः शिवाय

    oṃ namaḥ śivāya

    Chant with the mantra counter →

  3. Offer bilva and flowers

    Apply chandan and bhasma, then offer bilva leaves (smooth side up), dhatura, white flowers and akshat.

  4. Incense, lamp and naivedya

    Offer incense, the lamp and naivedya of fruit and sweets, then circle the linga halfway — tradition says one should not cross the channel through which the abhishek water flows.

  5. Japa and stotras

    Chant Om Namah Shivaya on a rudraksha mala and recite stotras such as the Lingashtakam or Shiva Panchakshara Stotram.

    Count with the mantra counter →

  6. Repeat each prahar

    Repeat the abhishekam and offerings in each of the four praharas of the night — traditionally with milk in the first, curd in the second, ghee in the third and honey in the fourth.

  7. Aarti and parana

    Perform the Shiv aarti at the end of each prahar. Break the fast the next morning after sunrise, after a final puja.

Tips

  • Do not offer haldi (turmeric), kumkum or ketaki flowers to the Shiva linga — traditionally they are not used in Shiva worship.
  • Bilva leaves should be whole and not torn.
  • Those who cannot fast or stay awake can still offer one sincere puja during nishita kaal.
Puja customs vary between regions, communities and families. This guide describes widely followed home practice; please follow the guidance of your family elders or priest where it differs.

Frequently asked questions

When is Maha Shivaratri 2027?

Maha Shivaratri falls on Saturday, 6 March 2027 in New Delhi; nishita kaal 00:07 (7 Mar) – 00:56 (7 Mar).

What is nishita kaal?

It is the eighth of the fifteen muhurtas of the night, around midnight — considered the most auspicious time for Shiva worship on Shivaratri.

Can women perform Shivaratri puja?

Yes. Shivaratri is observed by everyone, and many women keep the fast for the well-being of their families.

By the AstroMandap editorial team · Updated · Editorial standards