Major Festival · Select a year for the Gregorian date
Maha Shivaratri: Date, Nishita Puja Muhurat and Vrat Guide
The Great Night of Shiva falls on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi. Select a year to see the vrata date and Nishita Kaal window.
महाशिवरात्रि · · Krishna Chaturdashi
- Muhurat (2026)
- Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-03-18)
- Hindu month
- Chaitra
- Regions
- Pan-India, Nepal
- Deity
- Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Maha Shivaratri is the most important annual night dedicated to Lord Shiva. Unlike monthly Masa Shivaratri, this observance occurs on Krishna Chaturdashi of Magha (some almanacs list the month as Phalguna depending on amanta vs purnimanta reckoning). Devotees keep a day-and-night vigil (jagaran), offer abhishekam to the Shiva Lingam with water, milk, honey, bael leaves and datura, and chant Om Namah Shivaya or the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. Nishita Kaal puja often spills past midnight into the next civil date. Temples at Varanasi, Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar), Kedarnath’s winter seat, and Pashupatinath in Nepal draw all-night crowds. Fasting may be nirjala, phalahar (fruits and milk), or a single satvik meal — follow medical advice if you have health constraints.
When is Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri is observed on Tuesday, 17 March, 2026 in India, on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi. The Nishita Kaal (midnight) abhishekam — considered the most meritorious of the four prahar pujas — falls around solar midnight into the next civil morning (Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-03-18)). Many temples remain open all night. Use the year selector to see any other calendar. If Chaturdashi prevails at Nishita in your longitude, that is the Shivaratri you should follow, even if the printed office calendar shows an adjacent date. Monthly Shivaratri in other months is a lesser vrata and should not be confused with Maha Shivaratri.
- Vrata date in India: Tuesday, 17 March, 2026.
- Nishita Kaal puja: Nishita Kaal: 11:36 PM to 12:48 AM (2026-03-18).
- Tithi: Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (purnimanta Magha / amanta Phalguna in some regions).
Nishita Kaal and the four prahars
The night is divided into four prahars. Offering abhishekam in every prahar is ideal; if you can attend only one, choose Nishita (the third prahar around solar midnight). Lingas are bathed with water, then panchamrit, then water again. Bael (bilva) leaves are offered in groups of three leaflets. Avoid ketaki flowers. Keep the area clean; milk runoff should be collected respectfully, not wasted in drains if the temple provides a collection channel. Chanting through the night is traditional. If you cannot stay awake, perform evening puja, rest, and return for Nishita or dawn arati.
| Observance | Timing focus | Typical offering |
|---|---|---|
| First prahar | Evening after nightfall | Water, bilva, incense |
| Second prahar | Late evening | Panchamrit, flowers |
| Nishita (third) | Around midnight 15–16 Feb | Main abhishekam |
| Fourth prahar | Pre-dawn 16 Feb | Arati, breaking fast after sunrise rules |
Fasting rules and who should be careful
Classical smriti describes a nirjala (waterless) fast until the next morning’s puja. In practice, most householders keep a phalahar vrat: fruits, milk, coconut water, and satvik meals without onion, garlic or grains, depending on family custom. Pregnant women, diabetics, children and the elderly should not attempt nirjala fasting. Taking prescribed medicine with water does not invalidate a well-intentioned vrat. Break the fast after morning puja on 16 February, once Chaturdashi has ended or as your family acharya instructs. Charity (food, water, blankets) on Shivaratri is highly regarded.
Significance: Tandava, marriage of Shiva–Parvati, and stillness
Puranas associate Maha Shivaratri with Shiva’s cosmic tandava and with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Yogic traditions treat the night as especially suited to meditation because the planetary alignment of this Krishna Chaturdashi is said to support inner stillness. For devotees, the meaning is simpler: stay awake, keep Shiva in mind, and reduce speech and heavy food. Visiting a Jyotirlinga is meritorious but not required; a clean home lingam or a printed image with sincere abhishekam is valid.
Key sacred rituals
- Night-long vigil (Jagaran) and Shiva Abhishekam with Panchamrit
- Offering Bael leaves (Bilva Patra), Datura, and Milk to Shiva Lingam
- Strict Nirjala or Phalahar fasting throughout the day and night
- Chanting Om Namah Shivaya and Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri is on Sunday, 15 February in India. Nishita Kaal puja continues after midnight into 16 February.
What is the Nishita Puja time for Maha Shivaratri?
Nishita Kaal is approximately 12:09 AM to 01:01 AM on 16 February (IST). Confirm with a city-specific Panchang for exact local midnight.
Can I drink water during the Maha Shivaratri fast?
A strict nirjala vrat avoids water until the next morning. A phalahar vrat allows fruits, milk and water. Choose the form that is safe for your health.
Is Maha Shivaratri a public holiday?
It is a restricted or gazetted holiday in several Indian states and a major temple festival nationwide. Check your state holiday list for 15 February.
What should not be offered to the Shiva Lingam?
Ketaki flowers are traditionally avoided. Offerings should be satvik. Follow temple rules for milk and food waste.
Muhurat times are indicative for IST and may vary by city sunrise and tithi. Confirm with Today's Panchang.