Shivratri Tomorrow: Date, Puja Time and Significance

Tomorrow, Sunday 15 February 2026, India and millions of Shiva devotees across the world will observe Maha Shivratri — one of the holiest and most energetically powerful nights in the Hindu calendar. This is the great night of Lord Shiva, celebrated on the Krishna Chaturdashi tithi (14th day of the waning moon) in the month of Phalguna. The festival carries profound spiritual significance as the night when Shiva performed the cosmic Tandava dance, consumed the Halahala poison during Samudra Manthan, and is believed to have married Goddess Parvati.

Unlike many Hindu festivals that begin at sunrise, Maha Shivratri derives its deepest power from the night. The most auspicious window — Nishita Kaal (midnight) — falls in the early hours of 15 February 2026, making the period from evening of 14 February to dawn of 15 February the central time for worship, fasting and meditation.

Exact Tithi & Muhurat Timings (2026 – Delhi / Ujjain Panchang)

Chaturdashi tithi begins: Saturday, 14 February 2026 at 17:42 IST
Chaturdashi tithi ends: Sunday, 15 February 2026 at 16:28 IST

Nishita Kaal (midnight – highest potency for Abhishekam, Rudrabhishek & japa):

Starts: 00:07 a.m. on 15 February
Ends: 00:56 a.m. on 15 February
Peak Nishita Muhurat (most powerful moment): ≈ 00:31 a.m.

Ratri Prahar divisions (night quarters – 14–15 February):

First Prahar: 18:30 p.m. – 21:30 p.m. (14 Feb)
Second Prahar: 21:30 p.m. – 00:30 a.m.
Third Prahar: 00:30 a.m. – 03:30 a.m.
Fourth Prahar: 03:30 a.m. – 06:30 a.m.

Other key timings (Delhi approximate):

Sunrise: 15 February ≈ 07:08 a.m. IST
Moonrise: 14 February ≈ 19:00 p.m. IST
Moonset: 15 February ≈ 08:15 a.m.

Most temples and serious devotees perform the principal Shiva Abhishekam, Rudrabhishek and Shiva-Parvati vivah rituals during Nishita Kaal or the Third/Fourth Prahar. The vrat (fast) is observed throughout 15 February and broken after morning puja or after moon sighting on 15 February evening (in some traditions).

Spiritual & Mythological Significance

Maha Shivratri is called the “Great Night of Shiva” because several transformative events in Puranic lore are said to have occurred on this night:

Shiva performed the cosmic Tandava Nritya — the dance of creation, preservation and destruction — to save the universe
During Samudra Manthan, Shiva swallowed the deadly Halahala poison to protect all beings, turning his throat blue (Neelkantha)
Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this night
Shiva manifested as an infinite pillar of fire (Jyotirlinga) to resolve the supremacy dispute between Brahma and Vishnu

Scriptures (Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana) state that worshipping Shiva with devotion, fasting and night-long jagran on Maha Shivratri destroys sins of many lifetimes, removes ignorance, grants spiritual awakening and can ultimately lead to moksha.

The night is also considered especially powerful for sadhana because the planetary positions create a natural upward flow of energy in the human system, making meditation and mantra repetition highly effective.

Principal Rituals & Puja Vidhi

Early Morning Bath & Sankalp Rise before sunrise, take a holy bath (river preferred, otherwise at home) and make a sankalp (vow) to observe the fast and worship Shiva with full dedication.
Shiva Linga Abhishekam The core ritual is continuous Abhishekam of the Shiva Linga using Gangajal, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, sugarcane juice, coconut water, panchamrit and — most importantly — fresh bilva (bel) leaves. Nishita Kaal (midnight) is the most potent time for this.
Rudrabhishek / Laghurudra Performed in most Shiva temples with 11 priests chanting Sri Rudram 11 times. Devotees sponsor this for family protection, obstacle removal and wish fulfilment.
Bilva Patra Offering Three-leaved bilva leaves are considered most beloved by Shiva. Each leaf symbolically represents the trinity (Brahma–Vishnu–Mahesh). Even one leaf offered with pure devotion is said to please Mahadeva immensely.
Night-Long Jagran & Chanting Stay awake all night singing Shiva bhajans, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” (minimum 1,008 or 1,25,000 repetitions for serious sadhaks), reciting Shiva Purana or meditating on the Shiva Tattva.
Shiva-Parvati Vivah Puja In many homes and temples the divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati is ritually performed with small idols or pictures.
Breaking the Fast Fast is broken on 15 February after morning puja or after moon sighting in the evening (regional variations exist).

Fasting Guidelines (Vrat Rules)

Strict / Nirjala Fast

No grains, no salt, no onion-garlic
Allowed: fruits, milk, curd, sabudana (sago), makhana (fox nuts), singhada flour (water chestnut), kuttu atta (buckwheat), rajgira (amaranth), sendha namak (rock salt), water, tea/coffee without sugar
Popular dishes: sabudana khichdi, kuttu puri/paratha, rajgira halwa, makhana kheer, fruit salad, milk-based sweets

Light / Partial Fast

One meal in the evening after puja
Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion-garlic, pulses, rice, wheat

General observance rules:

No eating after sunset on 14 February until puja on 15 February morning
Avoid anger, lying, gossip, negative thoughts
Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” continuously
Sleep on floor or simple bedding if possible

Regional Observance Highlights

North India — Mass Ganga snan at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi; all-night kirtan at Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar Ujjain, Baijnath, Kedarnath
South India — Massive abhishekam at Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Madurai Meenakshi, Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar, Srisailam, Kalahasti
Maharashtra — Grand celebrations at Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Grishneshwar, Aundha Nagnath, Parli Vaijnath
West Bengal & Odisha — Shiva-Parvati vivah with great fervour; night-long jagran at Tarakeswar, Dakshineswar, Lingaraj Temple
Nepal — Pashupatinath temple receives lakhs of pilgrims; Sadhus perform elaborate fire rituals

Conclusion: A Night of Deep Spiritual Power

Maha Shivratri 2026 arrives on the night of 14–15 February as a profound opportunity for inner awakening. Whether through elaborate temple Abhishekam, simple home worship, strict fasting, night-long chanting or silent meditation on “Om Namah Shivaya”, the night invites every seeker to dissolve ego, burn past karma and connect with the eternal Shiva consciousness.

May Mahadeva shower peace, strength, wisdom, protection and liberation on all devotees this sacred night.

Shivratri Tomorrow: Date, Puja Time and Significance