One of the most important festivals of Hindu culture, Maha Shivratri honours Lord Shiva, the ultimate god, also referred to as the "Destroyer". Known as "The Great Night of Shiva," the Maha Shivratri Festival 2026 in India takes place on February 15, 2026, falling on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalguna.
Explore from the divine legends and sacred stories to exact puja timings, fasting, rituals, and India's most powerful Shiva temples. Though celebrated throughout India, each place has its own unique way of observing the festival.
From the sacred rituals to grand cultural events, explore numerous Maha Shivratri Events and Festivals Packages that are available for devotees seeking spiritual experience.
- Maha Shivratri Date: 15 February, 2026
- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: February 15, 2026, at 5:04 PM
- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: February 16, 2026, at 5:34 PM
- Nishita Kaal Puja Time: February 15, 2026, from 11:55 PM to 12:56 AM
- Prahar Puja Timings:
- Ratri 1st Prahar Puja Time: Feb 15, 6:11 PM - 9:23 PM
- Ratri 2nd Prahar Puja Time: Feb 15, 9:23 PM – 12:36 AM (Feb 16)
- Ratri 3rd Prahar Puja Time: Feb 16, 12:36 AM – 3:47 AM
- Ratri 4th Prahar Puja Time: Feb 16, 3:47 AM – 6:59 AM
- Parana Time: February 16, 2026, between 6:42 AM and 3:10 PM
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The Sacred Stories of Maha Shivaratri
There are three beautiful stories associated with the festival of Maha Shivratri:
- When Shiva Saved the World: During the churning of the cosmic ocean, a poison appeared that would have destroyed all living things. Lord Shiva consumed that poison to save all of us, and we remember this great deed on Maha Shivaratri.
- The Divine Marriage: Many people refer to this night as the divine marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. The divine marriage represents the union of divine forces.
- The Infinite Light: It is said that on this night, Shiva manifested as an endless light of fire, Lingodbhava. This indicated his infinite power.
Each of the stories brings us back to the reason why Shivratri is so significant to the fans around the world.
Importance of Maha Shivratri
Mahashivaratri is a special day in the heart of all Hindus, being the holiest night of worshiping Lord Shiva. This festival marks our “transition from darkness to light, our victory over ignorance and darkness through devotion, self-control, and right habits.
At the same time, by worshipping Lord Shiva on this most sacred night, one can attain happiness, prosperity, and advancement in life.
What to do on Maha Shivratri
Here's how believers commemorate this sacred night:
- Observe Fasting: People keep a fast, where only light food is eaten with the objective of purifying the body as well as the mind.
1.1 How to fast on Maha Shivratri
- Choose Your Fast: Practice nirjala fasting, or fast on fruits and milk as per your ability.
- Eat Pure Foods: Do not have non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, grains, or Alcohol. Best Veg alternatives: Sabudana recipes, fresh fruits and dry fruits, Milk sweets, health drinks, and dishes made from singhare (water chestnut) flour.
- Break Your Fast Correctly: You need to finish your fast the next morning only after praying to Lord Shiva.
2.Worship the Shivling: The worshipers worship their god with bilva leaves, milk, honey, and water. They perform special prayers for their god throughout the day.
3.Do Chanting & Singing: The sacred mantra to be repeated in this ritual is “Om Namah Shivaya,” accompanied by singing devotional songs.
4.Stay Awake All Night: The actual meaning and significance of Shivaratri lie in the night-long stay, where people perform meditation and pray to God Shiva by keeping their minds concentrated on him.
5.Visit Temples: It is recommended to visit famous Shiva temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, and Somnath, if possible, to receive additional blessings.
5.1 Perform abhishekam
5.2 Make offerings
5.3 Light diyas
5.4 Chant mantras
5.5 Perform special prayers
Best Places to Celebrate Maha Shivratri Festival 2026
Curious about how to celebrate Shivratri 2026 in the most meaningful way? Discover the best places to celebrate Shivratri, including many sacred Jyotirlinga Temples, beautiful mountain shrines, or vibrant celebrations of pure devotion to Lord Shiva.
Northern India
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Looking for the Maha Shivratri Festival in Varanasi? Head to the world-renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple becomes the focal point of many grand ceremonies and worship. It is one of the must visit temples on Maha Shivratri Festival.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Uttarakhand: Take a dip in the Holy Ganges at Har Ki Pauri and offer your prayers to the beautiful Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
- Bhootnath Temple, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh: Mandi will be hosting a week-long International Shivaratri Festival at Bhootnath Temple; this celebration is truly one of a kind!
Central India
- Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Ujjain is best known for the Maha Shivratri Festival. A must-see event is the Bhasma Aarti which takes place at Mahakaleshwar, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, during the early morning.
- Matangeshwar Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: At the Matangeshwar Temple you can spend your festival in an ancient temple with magnificent sculptures and other historical monuments near by.
Western India
- Somnath, Gujarat: The Somnath temple is one of the first jyotirlingas and provides a unique and uplifting spiritual encounter as you pay homage to this holy place.
- Nageshwar Temple, Dwarka, Gujarat: Nageshwar is the most famous jyotirlinga and is a popular destination for thousands of devotees each year.
- Bhavnath Taleti, Junagadh, Gujarat: The Bhavnath Taleti Shivaratri Festival, which runs for 5 days, is a very colourful occasion when sadhus and pilgrims converge in large numbers to celebrate their spiritual connection to Lord Shiva.
Southern & Eastern India
- Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh: If you’re looking for Maha Shivaratri events near me in AP, the Town of Srisailam possesses the most significant Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga and is a well-known holy place.
- Srikalahasti Temple, Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh: The Sacred Place of Presence of God at the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Srikalahasti allows followers to connect with God daily.
- Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam: The peaceful world of Peacock Island meets nature and any time now offers a celebration of the Umananda Temple.
- Lokanatha Temple, Puri, Odisha: The Lokanatha Temple is a historic place where pilgrims from across the country come to seek blessings and create a reverberating presence.
Unique Modern Experience
- Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: Isha Yoga Center is the place to be if you're looking for a unique Mahashivratri events 2026. Join Sadhguru Celebrating Mahashivratri with a Modern Vision of cultural performance, meditation sessions, and spiritual programs.
Your Maha Shivaratri Journey Awaits
Maha Shivratri is a spiritually uplifting festival experienced throughout India - from the best Mahashivratri celebration in India taking place at the Isha Yoga Centre, to ancient practices of the Maha Shivratri festival in Ujjain, known for its beautiful and awe inspiring Bhasma Aarti. Each of these sites will give you unique blessings.
When you journey to these sacred places during this auspicious night of Mahashivratri, you will participate in a journey of connection among millions who are devoted to Lord Shiva and celebrate the divine experience of faith and enlightenment.
