Maha Shivaratri

festivals

Quick Overview

Date in 2028: Wednesday, February 23, 2028
Tithi: Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 10:45 AM, Feb 23 to 01:27 PM, Feb 24
Lunar month: Phalguna · Krishna Paksha

Select Calendar Year

2028 Festival Date & Muhurta

Maha Shivaratri

Wednesday, February 23, 2028

Lunar Month: Phalguna

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:10:45 AM, Feb 23

Tithi Ends:01:27 PM, Feb 24

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
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
2032	04:52 AM, Wed, Mar 10	01:20 AM, Thu, Mar 11
2033	09:08 PM, Sun, Feb 27	05:37 PM, Mon, Feb 28

Panchanga on This Day

Maha Shivaratri · Feb 23, 2028

VaaraBudhavara

TithiKrishna Chaturdashi10:45 AM → 01:27 PM

NakshatraShravana10:51 PM → 01:58 AM

YogaVariyana

KaranVishti

Lunar MonthMagha

Brahma Muhurta05:12 AM → 06:02 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:11 PM → 12:57 PM

Nishita Muhurta12:09 AM → 12:59 AM

Rahu Kaal12:34 PM → 02:00 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 2028?

Krishna Chaturdashi: 10:45 AM, Wed, Feb 23, 2028 to 01:27 PM, Thu, Feb 24, 2028 (IST).

Q: When is the Maha Shivaratri tithi in 2029?

Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi: 01:31 PM, Sun, Feb 11, 2029 to 02:35 PM, Mon, Feb 12, 2029 (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.