The Great Night of Lord Shiva - 2026 date, Nishita Kaal puja time and four prahar timings.
| Year | Maha Shivratri Date | Day | Nishita Kaal (Midnight Puja) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 08 Mar 2024 | Fri | 12:07 AM – 12:56 AM (Mar 9) |
| 2025 | 26 Feb 2025 | Wed | 12:09 AM – 12:58 AM (Feb 27) |
| 2026 | 15 Feb 2026 | Sun | 12:05 AM – 12:54 AM (Feb 16) |
| 2027 | 06 Mar 2027 | Sat | 12:08 AM – 12:57 AM (Mar 7) |
| 2028 | 23 Feb 2028 | Wed | 12:07 AM – 12:56 AM (Feb 24) |
| 2029 | 11 Feb 2029 | Sun | 12:04 AM – 12:53 AM (Feb 12) |
| 2030 | 03 Mar 2030 | Sun | 12:07 AM – 12:56 AM (Mar 4) |
Maha Shivratri - literally "the great night of Shiva" - is one of the most sacred festivals in the Hindu calendar, observed on the 14th night of the waning moon (Krishna Chaturdashi) in the month of Phalguna, typically falling in February or March. Unlike most Hindu festivals celebrated during the day, Maha Shivratri is a nocturnal festival during which devotees remain awake through the night, chanting "Om Namah Shivaya," performing Abhishekam (ritual bathing of the Shivalinga), and offering Bilva leaves. It is observed by an estimated 100 million devotees across India.
The traditional Maha Shivratri puja is divided into four Prahars (three-hour night watches), each with a distinct offering and mantra. Devotees observe a strict fast (nirjala or with milk and fruits) throughout the day and night. The fast is broken the following morning after sunrise with the Paran (ending of the fast). Major Jyotirlinga temples - including Somnath (Gujarat), Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain), Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi), and Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) - draw millions of pilgrims on this date each year.
Because Maha Shivratri follows the Hindu lunar calendar, its Gregorian date shifts each year. This page provides the confirmed Maha Shivratri date for 2024, 2025, 2026, and beyond, along with the four Prahar puja timings and Nishita Kalam (midnight auspicious period) for correct ritual scheduling.