Mahashivratri – Date and Timings Confirmed for 2026 Observance
Mahashivratri – Mahashivratri in 2026 will be observed on Sunday, February 15, according to the Hindu lunar calendar, bringing clarity for devotees who often face confusion over the exact date each year.
Date Determined by Chaturdashi Tithi
The annual festival dedicated to Lord Shiva is celebrated on the Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha. In 2026, this lunar phase begins at 5:04 PM on February 15 and ends at 5:34 PM on February 16. Since the Chaturdashi Tithi prevails during the night of February 15, that day has been confirmed as the appropriate time for the observance.
Though the Hindu calendar month is referred to as Phalguna in North India and Magha in several southern states, the festival will be marked uniformly across the country on the same date.
Mahashivratri holds deep spiritual meaning in Sanatan Dharma. It is associated with the sacred union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti and also commemorates the divine appearance of Shiva in the form of the eternal Linga. The night is regarded as one of heightened spiritual energy, drawing millions of devotees to temples and places of worship.
Auspicious Puja Timings and Nishita Kaal
Among the various time periods for worship, Nishita Kaal — the midnight window — is considered the most sacred. In 2026, Nishita Kaal Puja will take place from 12:09 AM to 1:01 AM on February 16, lasting approximately 51 minutes. This period is traditionally linked to the moment of Shiva’s manifestation as the infinite Linga.
Devotees observing the fast are advised to break it during the prescribed Parana time on February 16. The Parana window will remain open from 6:59 AM to 3:24 PM. Religious texts emphasize that the fast should be concluded after sunrise but before the Chaturdashi Tithi ends to receive the full spiritual benefit of the vrat.
Night Vigil Divided into Four Prahars
A significant aspect of Mahashivratri is the night-long vigil, during which devotees remain awake and offer prayers in four segments known as Prahars. Each Prahar represents a phase of the night and is marked by specific rituals and offerings.
Based on timings for New Delhi, the first Prahar will run from 6:11 PM to 9:23 PM on February 15. The second Prahar follows from 9:23 PM to 12:35 AM. The third Prahar extends from 12:35 AM to 3:47 AM, and the fourth and final Prahar concludes between 3:47 AM and 6:59 AM on February 16.
Worship during all four Prahars is considered especially meaningful. Devotees offer water, milk, bel leaves, and prayers while chanting sacred mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva. Religious belief holds that sincere observance during these intervals promotes spiritual growth and inner purification.
Fasting Rituals and Preparations
The observance of Mahashivratri fast begins a day earlier, on Trayodashi. On this preparatory day, devotees usually consume a single meal and begin maintaining discipline in food and conduct. On the morning of February 15, after bathing and completing daily purification rituals, devotees take a Sankalp — a solemn vow to observe the fast with devotion and focus.
Many followers choose to visit temples in the evening after taking a second ritual bath. The fast is typically observed throughout the night, with devotees refraining from food and dedicating their time to prayer, meditation, and chanting.
The fast concludes the following morning after sunrise, once the prescribed rituals are completed. Observers then perform Parana within the designated timeframe, marking the formal end of the vrat.
Mahashivratri continues to be one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, bringing together devotees in collective prayer and spiritual reflection each year.