Maha Shivaratri
The great night of Shiva.
Celebrated everywhere
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 15 February 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, 6 March 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 23 February 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, 11 February 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, 2 March 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, 20 February 2031 |
Dates are for Mumbai. A tithi that changes close to sunrise or sunset can fall a day earlier or later in another city, so for your own town open the festival in the app.
When it falls
14th day of the waning moon, in Magha. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.
The story
The great night of Shiva: the night he married Parvati, or the night he danced the tandava, or the night the linga appeared as a pillar of light. Kept at midnight, in the darkest fortnight of the coldest month.
How it is kept
Fasting, a night vigil with four rounds of abhishek (milk, curd, honey, water), bel leaves, and the chant Om Namah Shivaya. Devotees who can't stay up do one evening round.
Common questions
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2027?
In 2027, Maha Shivaratri falls on Saturday, 6 March 2027 in Mumbai. Dates for other years are in the table above.
How is the date of Maha Shivaratri decided?
14th day of the waning moon, in Magha. Like every lunar festival it lands on a different Gregorian date each year. Muhurtha works the date out from the positions of the Sun and Moon, using the rule for this festival; see how every festival is dated.
How is Maha Shivaratri kept?
Fasting, a night vigil with four rounds of abhishek (milk, curd, honey, water), bel leaves, and the chant Om Namah Shivaya. Devotees who can't stay up do one evening round.
Other festivals nearby
Open the Muhurtha app to see Maha Shivaratri for your own town, with the exact time its tithi begins and ends. How every festival is dated.
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