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About Maha Shivratri

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About Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri, the great night of Shiva, is one of the holiest nights for Hindus. It falls on the fourteenth night of the waning moon in the month of Magha, or Phalguna as it is called in the north, usually in February or March.

Many remember it as the night of the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, and as the night Shiva performed his cosmic dance. It is a night of prayer and self-control more than feasting.

Devotees fast, offer water, milk and bel leaves on the Shiva lingam, chant Om Namah Shivaya and stay awake through the night in temples and at home. Famous gatherings take place at Varanasi, Ujjain, Somnath, Srisailam, Kalahasti, Gokarna and Pashupatinath in Nepal.

It is a public holiday in Nepal and Mauritius, where pilgrims walk to the lake of Ganga Talao, and it is kept by Hindu families around the world.

  • One night, February or March
  • Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi
  • Night-long vigil
  • Kept across India and Nepal

Where it began

One story tells that this is the night Shiva and Parvati were married. Another says Shiva drank the poison that rose when the ocean was churned, saving the world, and the gods kept him awake through the night with prayer.

Legend also says Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light on this night, with no beginning or end. A popular folk tale tells of a hunter who spent the night in a bilva tree, dropping leaves on a linga below without knowing, and was blessed for his unplanned worship.

The Puranas describe the night and its vigil, and it is one of the oldest and most widely kept Shaiva festivals.

Pashupatinath at dusk, where pilgrims gather on ShivratriKathmandu, Nepal

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient times

    The Puranas describe Shivratri and the merit of a night-long vigil and fast.

  2. Medieval period

    Great Shiva temples like Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath and Pashupatinath hold grand Shivratri fairs.

  3. 1900s

    Classical dance festivals begin at Khajuraho and Chidambaram around Shivratri.

  4. Today

    Temples stay open all night, and millions join prayers, music and meditation.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Processions of Shiva's wedding party wind through the lanes to Kashi Vishwanath.

  • Tamil Nadu

    Temples like Chidambaram and Thiruvannamalai hold night-long poojas and dance.

  • Kashmir

    Kashmiri Pandits keep Herath, a family festival with special prayers and food.

  • Nepal

    Pilgrims from India and Nepal crowd Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, where sadhus gather and lamps glow all night.

  • Mauritius

    Pilgrims walk to the crater lake Ganga Talao carrying decorated kanwars.

Maha Shivratri moments

The Pashupatinath temple glowing at nightKathmandu, Nepal
A copper pot for pouring water on the Shiva linga
A sadhu by the Bagmati river near PashupatinathKathmandu, Nepal
A Shiva shrine with its trident in the temple courtyardKathmandu, Nepal

Maha Shivratri today

Devotees fast, visit the temple in the four watches of the night, and offer water, milk, honey and bilva leaves. Many stay awake singing bhajans and meditating, and break the fast the next morning.

How people celebrate Maha Shivratri

  • Fasting through the day
  • Abhishekam with water, milk and honey
  • Offering bel leaves and dhatura flowers
  • Chanting Om Namah Shivaya
  • Night-long jagaran in temples
  • Visiting Jyotirlinga temples

How to wish well

  • Maha Shivratri is a devotional night, so keep wishes respectful; avoid jokes and party words.
  • "Om Namah Shivaya" and "Har Har Mahadev" are the most common greetings.
  • Send wishes in the morning or before the evening puja, since many people are in prayer through the night.
  • If someone is fasting, a wish for strength and peace is kind.

Questions about Maha Shivratri

When is Maha Shivratri 2026?

Maha Shivratri is on 15 February 2026. The main puja is at night, around midnight.

When is Maha Shivratri 2027?

Maha Shivratri in 2027 falls on 6 March.

What is the difference between Shivratri and Maha Shivratri?

Masik Shivratri comes every month on the fourteenth night of the waning moon. Maha Shivratri is the biggest one of the year, in Magha or Phalguna.

What do you say on Maha Shivratri?

Say "Happy Maha Shivratri", "Om Namah Shivaya" or "Har Har Mahadev". In Hindi, "Mahashivratri ki hardik shubhkamnayein".

Why do people stay awake on Maha Shivratri?

Staying awake, or jagaran, is a way of keeping the mind on Lord Shiva through his holy night, with chanting, songs and prayers.

What is offered to Lord Shiva on Shivratri?

Water, milk, honey, bel leaves, dhatura, white flowers and fruit are offered on the Shiva lingam.

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