Festival calendar
Maha Shivratri 2026: date and how it is observed
Maha Shivratri 2026 is on Sunday, 15 February 2026.
Date
Sunday, 15 February 2026
Tithi
Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Magha in the Amanta calendar), at midnight
About Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is the great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, keep a night vigil and worship Shiva in four prahars, with abhishek of the Shivalinga and the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya.
How Maha Shivratri is observed
- Fast through the day and stay awake at night.
- Offer water, milk, bilva leaves and flowers to the Shivalinga.
- Chant Om Namah Shivaya and read Shiva stotras.
Stotras to read
- Shiva Tandava StotramRavana's seventeen-verse hymn to Lord Shiva describing the cosmic Tandava dance. Widely recited for strength, devotion, and general planetary harmony in Vedic astrology.
- RudrashtakamEight verses by Goswami Tulsidas praising Lord Shiva — from formless Brahman to Neelkanth with Ganga and trident. Recited on Mondays, Shravan, and Maha Shivaratri for peace, grace, and liberation from birth-sorrow.
- Shiva LingashtakamEight verses praising the Shiva Linga — worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and all sages. Recited on Mondays and Maha Shivaratri for destruction of birth-sorrow, ego, and accumulated sins.
- Shiva ChalisaThe Shiva Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn praising Lord Shiva, the destroyer of ignorance and source of auspiciousness. Widely recited on Mondays and Maha Shivratri, it brings peace, removes obstacles, and aligns the mind with spiritual discipline.
More festivals in 2026
- Lohri
- Makar Sankranti
- Vasant Panchami
- Holi
- Ugadi & Gudi Padwa
- Ram Navami
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Guru Purnima
- Raksha Bandhan
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Sharad Navratri
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
- Sharad Purnima
- Karwa Chauth
- Dhanteras
- Govardhan Puja
- Bhai Dooj
- Chhath Puja
- Dev Uthani Ekadashi
- Kartik Purnima
- Diwali (Deepavali)
Dates are for New Delhi, calculated and checked against published panchangs. When a tithi spans two days or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat in your city, check the local panchang.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivratri in 2026?
Maha Shivratri 2026 is on Sunday, 15 February 2026. The dates are for New Delhi.
Which tithi is Maha Shivratri celebrated on?
Maha Shivratri is celebrated on Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Magha in the Amanta calendar), at midnight. This follows the North Indian (Purnimanta) calendar.
Why is Maha Shivratri celebrated?
Maha Shivratri is the great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, keep a night vigil and worship Shiva in four prahars, with abhishek of the Shivalinga and the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya.
Can the date of Maha Shivratri differ in my city?
Yes. When a tithi spans two days, or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat of the puja, check the panchang for your city.
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