Shivratri 2026 on February 15: Mahashivratri significance, rituals, parana time of auspicious day

Mahashivratri 2026: Observe Shivratri with devotion. Learn about its significance, rituals, and parana time to make the most of this Hindu festival.

Maha Shivratri 2026: Maha Shivratri is a sacred Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees mark this day by visiting temples, offering prayers, and fasting to seek blessings, inner peace, and spiritual growth, embodying faith, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil.

It marks the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Sati. Devotees observe the Shivratri vrat with sincerity and dedication. Here’s everything you need to know about the correct date, shubh muhurat, parana time, and the significance of this auspicious festival.

Maha Shivratri 2026 date and time

Every year, devotees of Shiva observe the sacred festival of Maha Shivaratri in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February–March), on the Chaturdashi tithi (fourteenth night) of the waning moon. This year, the festival will be celebrated on Sunday, February 15.

Maha Shivratri muhurat	Time and date
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins	05:04 PM, February 15
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends	05:34 PM, February 16
Ratri First Prahar Puja	06:26 PM to 09:30 PM, February 15
Ratri Second Prahar Puja	09:30 PM to 12:34 AM, February 15–16
Ratri Third Prahar Puja	12:34 AM to 03:38 AM, February 16
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja	03:38 AM to 06:42 AM, February 16
Nishita Kaal Puja Time	12:09 AM to 01:01 AM, February 16
Shivratri Parana Time	06:59 AM to 03:24 PM, February 16

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Significance of Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivaratri carries deep religious and spiritual significance. It represents the triumph of light over ignorance, and devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva and observing a night-long vigil on this auspicious occasion helps attain awareness and spiritual enlightenment. It is also believed that Lord Shiva performed the Tandav, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, on this sacred night.

A view of Triveni Sangam during sunset as devotees offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Maha Shivratri 2026 rituals and celebration

Maha Shivratri is celebrated across India with deep devotion and spiritual fervour, with major temples like Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Kedarnath Temple witnessing grand festivities. Thousands of devotees gather to offer prayers, participate in special aartis, and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, while homes and temples are beautifully decorated and bhajans and kirtans fill the air.

Devotees observe a day-long fast, some consuming only fruits and milk, others following a strict nirjala fast, chant sacred mantras to purify the mind and invoke divine blessings, perform abhishekam by bathing the Shivalinga with holy items like milk, honey, water, curd, and bel patra, and stay awake through the night for Shivratri Jagran, meditating and engaging in spiritual activities to honour Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.