When is ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ 2026?

In 2026, ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ falls on ಭಾನುವಾರ, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 15, 2026.

What are the ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ puja rituals?

At sunrise, take a bath and begin nirjala or fruit/milk fast.; Every three hours (four prahars), perform Shiva puja with bilva leaves, milk, honey, and bhang.; Chant Om Namah Shivaya and Shiva mantras throughout the night.; Offer water (abhishekam) to the Shiva Lingam; keep a vigil and avoid sleep.

What to eat on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?

After fast: fruits, milk, sabudana, Bhang (in some regions), No grains during fast

What should you do on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?

Observe fast with sincerity; Offer bilva leaves to Shiva; Stay awake and meditate or chant

What should you avoid on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?

Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol; Do not sleep during the night; Avoid anger and negative thoughts

Which deity is worshipped on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ is dedicated to ಶಿವ.

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ 2026 (Maha Shivaratri)

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Significance & Spiritual Meaning

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ — ಶಿವ ಭಗವಂತನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿತವಾದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಮಹತ್ವದ ರಾತ್ರಿ. ಫಾಲ್ಗುಣ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಚತುರ್ದಶಿಯಂದು ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಭಕ್ತರು ದಿನವಿಡೀ ಉಪವಾಸ ಆಚರಿಸಿ, ರಾತ್ರಿಯಿಡೀ ಎಚ್ಚರವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಶಿವ ಧ್ಯಾನ, ಶಿವ ಸಹಸ್ರನಾಮ ಅರ್ಚನೆ, ರುದ್ರ ಪಠಣ, ಅಭಿಷೇಕ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Mythology & Legend

According to the Shiva Purana, on this night Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Tandava) and married Parvati. Another legend says that Shiva saved the world by drinking the poison (halahala) that emerged during the churning of the ocean, and Parvati held it in his throat, turning it blue (Neelkanth).

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ 2026 Puja Rituals & Vidhi

At sunrise, take a bath and begin nirjala or fruit/milk fast.
Every three hours (four prahars), perform Shiva puja with bilva leaves, milk, honey, and bhang.
Chant Om Namah Shivaya and Shiva mantras throughout the night.
Offer water (abhishekam) to the Shiva Lingam; keep a vigil and avoid sleep.
At dawn the next day, perform the final puja and break the fast.

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Mantras in Sanskrit

ॐ नमः शिवाय

oṃ namaḥ śivāya

Salutations to Shiva

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Traditional Foods & Prasad

●After fast: fruits, milk, sabudana
●Bhang (in some regions)
●No grains during fast

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Regional Celebrations across India

North India(महाशिवरात्रि)

Temple visits, night-long bhajans

South India(மகா சிவராத்திரி)

Lingam abhishekam

Nepal(महाशिवरात्रि)

Great national festival at Pashupatinath

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Do's & Don't's

Do's

✓Observe fast with sincerity
✓Offer bilva leaves to Shiva
✓Stay awake and meditate or chant
✓Visit a Shiva temple

Don'ts

✗Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol
✗Do not sleep during the night
✗Avoid anger and negative thoughts

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ — Frequently Asked Questions

What is ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?: ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ — ಶಿವ ಭಗವಂತನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿತವಾದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಮಹತ್ವದ ರಾತ್ರಿ.
When is ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ 2026?: In 2026, ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ falls on ಭಾನುವಾರ, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 15, 2026.
What are the ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ puja rituals?: At sunrise, take a bath and begin nirjala or fruit/milk fast.; Every three hours (four prahars), perform Shiva puja with bilva leaves, milk, honey, and bhang.; Chant Om Namah Shivaya and Shiva mantras throughout the night.; Offer water (abhishekam) to the Shiva Lingam; keep a vigil and avoid sleep.
What to eat on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?: After fast: fruits, milk, sabudana, Bhang (in some regions), No grains during fast
What should you do on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?: Observe fast with sincerity; Offer bilva leaves to Shiva; Stay awake and meditate or chant
What should you avoid on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?: Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol; Do not sleep during the night; Avoid anger and negative thoughts
Which deity is worshipped on ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ?: ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ is dedicated to ಶಿವ.

Upcoming ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ Dates in 2026, 2027 & Beyond

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ is a sacred Hindu festival observed on the tithi shown. Dates are calculated from the Panchang for your region.

Times shown for New Delhi, India (IST)

Date	Day	Moonrise Time	Special Name
ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 6,2027	ಶನಿವಾರ	05:25 am	—
ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 7,2027	ಭಾನುವಾರ	05:55 am	—

ಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ 2026