Maha Shivratri 2026: Date, Puja Timings and Rituals

Maha Shivratri 2026: Date, Puja Timings and Rituals

Maha Shivratri 2026 will be celebrated across India and among Shiva devotees worldwide on Sunday, 15 February 2026. This is one of the most important and spiritually potent festivals in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to Lord Shiva—the supreme destroyer and transformer in the Hindu trinity. The festival falls on the Krishna Chaturdashi tithi (14th day of the dark fortnight) of the month of Phalguna (February–March), when the moon is closest to the Earth and the planetary alignment is believed to be especially conducive to spiritual practices.

For millions of devotees, Maha Shivratri is the night when Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction) and when the divine union of Shiva and Shakti (Parvati) is celebrated. It is also the night Shiva is said to have consumed the poison Halahala during the Samudra Manthan to save the universe, turning his throat blue—earning him the name Neelkantha.

Exact Date & Tithi Timings in 2026

According to the widely followed North Indian (Panchang of Ujjain / Varanasi / Delhi) and South Indian calendars:

• Chaturdashi tithi begins: Saturday, 14 February 2026 at 17:42 IST
• Chaturdashi tithi ends: Sunday, 15 February 2026 at 16:28 IST
• Ratri (night) of Shivratri: The most auspicious period is the Nishita Kaal (midnight) on 14–15 February
• Nishita Kaal puja window: 00:07 a.m. to 00:56 a.m. on 15 February 2026 (peak time ≈ 00:31 a.m.)
• Sunrise: 15 February 2026 ≈ 07:05–07:15 a.m. IST (Delhi)
• Moonrise: 14 February ≈ 18:55 p.m. IST

Most temples and households perform the principal rituals—Shiva Abhishekam, Rudrabhishek, night-long jagran and Shiva-Parvati puja—on the night of 14 February into the early hours of 15 February 2026. The fast is observed on 15 February and broken after the morning puja or after sighting the moon on 15 February evening (in some traditions).

Spiritual & Mythological Significance

Maha Shivratri derives its name from “Maha” (great) and “Shivratri” (night of Shiva). Several Puranas (Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana) describe four major Shivratris in the year, but the one in Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi is considered the greatest.

Key mythological events associated with the day:

• Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya to save the universe from destruction
• Shiva consumed poison Halahala during Samudra Manthan
• Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this night
• Shiva appeared as a fiery lingam (Jyotirlinga) to settle the dispute between Brahma and Vishnu

Devotees believe that sincere worship, fasting and night-long meditation on this day can destroy sins of many lifetimes and grant liberation (moksha).

Principal Rituals & Puja Vidhi

1. Early Morning Bath & Sankalp Devotees take a holy bath (preferably in a river or at home) before sunrise and make a sankalp (vow) to observe the fast and worship Shiva.
2. Shiva Linga Abhishekam The central ritual is continuous Abhishekam of the Shiva Linga with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Gangajal, coconut water, sugarcane juice, panchamrit and bilva leaves. The most auspicious time is during Nishita Kaal (midnight).
3. Rudrabhishek & Laghurudra Many temples perform Laghurudra or Rudrabhishek with 11 priests chanting Rudram 11 times. Devotees sponsor this for family well-being.
4. Bilva Patra Offering Offering three-leaved bilva (bel) leaves is considered most dear to Shiva. Each leaf represents the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh).
5. Night-Long Jagran & Bhajan Devotees stay awake all night singing Shiva bhajans, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”, reading Shiva Purana or performing meditation.
6. Shiva-Parvati Vivah Puja In many homes and temples, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is reenacted with small idols or pictures.
7. Breaking the Fast The fast is broken on 15 February after morning puja or after sighting the moon in the evening (in some traditions).

Observance Across India & Regional Variations

• North India (UP, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana): Mass bathing in Ganga at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi; night-long bhajans at Kashi Vishwanath, Baijnath, Badrinath
• South India (TN, Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana): Grand abhishekam at major Shiva temples (Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Madurai Meenakshi, Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar, Sringeri, Srisailam)
• Maharashtra: Special pujas at Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar Jyotirlingas
• West Bengal & Odisha: Shiva-Parvati vivah celebrated with great fervour; night-long jagran at Tarakeswar, Dakshineswar
• Nepal: Pashupatinath temple sees lakhs of devotees; Sadhus perform special pujas

Auspicious Muhurat Timings (Delhi / North India)

• Sunrise: 15 February ≈ 07:08 a.m.
• Nishita Kaal puja: 00:07 a.m. – 00:56 a.m. (peak ≈ 00:31 a.m.)
• Ratri First Prahar: 18:30 p.m. – 21:30 p.m. (14 Feb)
• Ratri Second Prahar: 21:30 p.m. – 00:30 a.m.
• Ratri Third Prahar: 00:30 a.m. – 03:30 a.m.
• Ratri Fourth Prahar: 03:30 a.m. – 06:30 a.m.
• Moonrise: 14 Feb ≈ 19:00 p.m. IST

Many devotees perform the main Abhishekam during the third or fourth prahar.

Conclusion: A Night of Spiritual Awakening

Maha Shivratri 2026 arrives on 14–15 February as a powerful reminder of Shiva’s eternal presence as both destroyer and protector. Whether one performs elaborate temple rituals, observes a simple home puja, fasts with devotion, or simply meditates on the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”, the night offers every seeker an opportunity to transcend worldly limitations and connect with the divine consciousness.

May the blessings of Lord Shiva bring peace, strength, wisdom and protection to every home on this sacred night.