Maha Shivaratri

festivals

Quick Overview

Date in 2026: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Tithi: Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 05:05 PM, Feb 15 to 05:35 PM, Feb 16
Lunar month: Phalguna · Krishna Paksha

Select Calendar Year

2026 Festival Date & Muhurta

Maha Shivaratri

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Lunar Month: Phalguna

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:05:05 PM, Feb 15

Tithi Ends:05:35 PM, Feb 16

Maha Shivaratri at a Glance

Maha Shivaratri is fixed by the lunar calendar to Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi, the 14th tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight of Phalguna (Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in the Amanta calendar).

Tithi rule: Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta)Krishna Chaturdashi Phalguna month
Tithi swami and group: Shiva · Rikta Tithi

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi in Coming Years

Year	Tithi begins	Tithi ends
2027	12:04 PM, Sat, Mar 6	01:47 PM, Sun, Mar 7
2028	10:45 AM, Wed, Feb 23	01:27 PM, Thu, Feb 24
2029	01:31 PM, Sun, Feb 11	02:35 PM, Mon, Feb 12
2030	12:23 PM, Sat, Mar 2	12:02 PM, Sun, Mar 3
2031	02:45 AM, Thu, Feb 20	11:55 PM, Thu, Feb 20

Panchanga on This Day

Maha Shivaratri · Feb 15, 2026

VaaraRavivara

TithiKrishna Trayodashi04:02 PM → 05:05 PM

NakshatraUttara Ashadha06:16 PM → 07:48 PM

YogaVyatipata

KaranVanija

Lunar MonthMagha

Brahma Muhurta05:17 AM → 06:08 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:13 PM → 12:57 PM

Nishita Muhurta12:09 AM → 01:00 AM

Rahu Kaal04:47 PM → 06:11 PM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is the most sacred night of devotion dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Great Lord of Transformation. It marks the divine cosmic dance (Tandava) of Shiva and Shakti, as well as the holy union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

In Vedic tradition, Shivaratri signifies the victory of spiritual light over worldly darkness. Devotees observe night-long vigils (Jagaran), strict fasting, and offer sacred Bilva (Bael) leaves and Abhishekam onto the Shiva Linga to awaken divine consciousness.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Maha Shivaratri fasting is observed with deep devotion, mental purity, and intense spiritual discipline.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

One day before Shivaratri (Trayodashi), devotees eat only one satvik meal during the daytime.
On Shivaratri morning, devotees take an early bath and recite the Sankalp (pledge) to observe a full-day and full-night fast.
Shiva Puja is performed during the night, either during Nishita Kaal or four times across the four Prahar (watch) windows.
The fast is broken the following day (Parana) after taking a morning bath, between sunrise and the end of Chaturdashi Tithi.

Maha Shivaratri: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which tithi is Maha Shivaratri observed on?

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in the Amanta calendar); its swami is Shiva, a Rikta Tithi.

Q: When does the Maha Shivaratri tithi begin and end in 2026?

Krishna Chaturdashi: 05:05 PM, Sun, Feb 15, 2026 to 05:35 PM, Mon, Feb 16, 2026 (IST).

Q: When is the Maha Shivaratri tithi in 2027?

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi: 12:04 PM, Sat, Mar 6, 2027 to 01:47 PM, Sun, Mar 7, 2027 (IST).

Q: Why is Shiva Puja performed during Nishita Kaal?

Nishita Kaal is the midnight time window when Lord Shiva manifested on Earth in the infinite cosmic form of Lingodbhava. Performing Puja during this time brings supreme spiritual peace.