Maha Shivaratri

The great night of Lord Shiva.

Saturday, 6 March 2027Phalguna Krishna ChaturdashiMajor FestivalGazetted Holiday

Pan-India

Significance

Night-long vigil and worship of Shiva.

The Story

On the darkest night of Phalguna, when the world was on the brink of dissolution, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction — the Tandava. This night, called Maha Shivaratri, is when Shiva manifested as an infinite column of light (Jyotirlinga) to settle a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu over who was supreme. Neither could find the beginning or end of the light pillar, revealing Shiva's transcendence.

Another tradition holds that this is the night when Shiva and Parvati were married. The gods gathered, the celestial musicians played, and the ascetic Shiva transformed into the ideal groom. Their union represents the merging of consciousness (Shiva) with creative energy (Shakti).

Devotees believe that on this night, Shiva is closest to the earth plane. Prayers offered with sincere devotion are said to be multiplied a thousandfold. The night vigil (jagaran) symbolizes staying awake to one's own inner consciousness.

How to Celebrate

  1. Observe a full-day fast from sunrise
  2. Visit a Shiva temple or set up a Shivalinga at home
  3. Bathe the Shivalinga with water, milk, honey, curd, and bhasma (sacred ash)
  4. Offer bilva (bael) leaves — a set of three leaves is most sacred
  5. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times or more
  6. Maintain a night-long vigil (jagaran) with four prahar pujas at 3-hour intervals
  7. Each prahar: bathe the linga, offer flowers, and chant mantras
  8. Break fast the next morning with simple prasad

Fasting

Strict Fast

Full-day and night fast. Some observe nirjala (waterless), others take milk and fruits.

Avoid

grains, rice, lentils, onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food

Allowed

fruits, milk, bael juice, thandai

Thandai — a milk drink with almonds, pepper, and bhang (in some traditions) — is especially associated with Shivaratri.

Across India

North India

Night-long vigils at Shiva temples. Special celebrations at Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Haridwar, and Rishikesh. Huge processions with Shiva bhajans. Thandai is served widely.

South India

Elaborate temple rituals with four-prahar puja. Special celebrations at Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai, and Srisailam. Lingabhishekam (bathing of Shivalinga) with multiple offerings.

East India

In Bengal, Shivratri is observed with fasting and temple visits. In Odisha, special celebrations at Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar. Night-long jagaran with kirtan and bhajans.

West India

Gujarat observes with community processions and fair-like celebrations (melas). In Maharashtra, Shiva temples at Bhimashankar, Trimbakeshwar, and Aundha Nagnath see huge crowds.

Other Years

202520262027

Know the exact muhurat

KAAL shows precise puja timings, Rahu Kalam, and auspicious windows for your location.

Download KAAL