🙏 Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati

Mahashivratri

🗓️ Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Feb/March)

The story behind Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is the great night of Shiva, marking the convergence of Shiva (Consciousness) and Shakti (Energy). Astronomically, the planetary positions on this night create a natural upsurge of energy in the human spine, making it the most powerful night for spiritual sadhana, meditation, and overcoming darkness and ignorance.

Mahashivratri Puja Vidhi

  1. 1

    Sankalpa (Sacred Resolve)

    Take a vow of fasting (Vrat) and continuous mindfulness of Shiva for the entire day and night.

  2. 2

    Shiva Linga Abhishek

    Bathe the Shiva Linga sequentially with water, milk, curd, honey, ghee (Panchamrit), and holy Ganga jal.

  3. 3

    Bilva Patra Arpan

    Offer 3-leaf Bilva (Bel) leaves with sandalwood paste, symbolizing the three Gunas and three eyes of Shiva.

  4. 4

    Jagran (Night Vigil)

    Stay awake through the 4 Prahars of the night meditating on the spine and chanting Panchakshari Mantra.

Mahashivratri Mantra

ॐ नमः शिवाय॥ ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥

Meaning

Salutations to Shiva. We worship the Three-Eyed One who is fragrant and nourishes all beings. May He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.

How to chant

Chant the Mahamritunjaya Mantra 108 times during each Prahar of the night vigil.

When is Mahashivratri?

YearDate
2025Wednesday, 26 February 2025
2026Sunday, 15 February 2026
2027Saturday, 6 March 2027
2028Wednesday, 23 February 2028
2029Sunday, 11 February 2029

Dates are computed with the Drik (observational) method from real solar and lunar positions, using sunrise-to-sunrise Tithi assignment for New Delhi.

Does Mahashivratri fall on the same date everywhere?

Mahashivratri's date is decided by the astrological marker that is checked at Nishita Kaal — the midpoint of the night, between sunset and the next sunrise. That midpoint falls at a different clock time in each city, so Mahashivratri can land on different calendar dates in different countries.

CityDate
New DelhiSun, 15 February
New YorkSun, February 15
LondonSun 15 February
TorontoSun, February 15
SydneySun 15 February
DubaiSun, 15 February
SingaporeSun, 15 February

These dates follow the panchang convention computed for each city's own coordinates — they are not a universal verdict. Some temples and communities shift observance to a weekend regardless of the computed date, and published panchang authorities recommend using your own city's panchang rather than a single worldwide date. Confirm with your local temple or community before treating a date as final.

Festivals around Mahashivratri

All Hindu festivals →See the full Vedic calendar →Today's Panchang & muhurtas →

Mahashivratri FAQs

Mahashivratri falls on 15 February 2026, based on Kaala's Drik Panchang calculation for the corresponding Tithi.

Mahashivratri is dated according to the lunar Tithi, not the fixed Gregorian calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts from year to year while its position in the lunar calendar stays consistent.

The astronomical event Mahashivratri marks happens at the same instant everywhere in the world, but which calendar day that instant falls on locally depends on each city's own timing — so cities in different countries can observe Mahashivratri a day apart.