Mahashivratri 2026: Date, Puja Timings, Rituals, and Significance – All You Need to Know

NATIONAL – Mahashivratri, one of the holiest and most spiritually significant festivals in Hinduism, will be celebrated with devotion across India and the world on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Known as the "Great Night of Shiva," this auspicious occasion marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti and is observed with fasting, night-long vigils, and special worship of Lord Shiva .

With the Chaturdashi tithi (fourteenth lunar day) spanning from the evening of February 15 to the evening of February 16, there has been some confusion about the exact date. However, according to the traditional lunar calendar and the rule that Mahashivratri is observed on the night when the Chaturdashi tithi is active, the festival will be celebrated on February 15, 2026, with rituals continuing through the night into February 16 .

Mahashivratri 2026: Date and Auspicious Timings

The most important ritual of Mahashivratri is the Nishita Kaal Puja, performed during midnight, which is considered the most spiritually potent time for worshipping Lord Shiva. Here are the complete timings for Mahashivratri 2026 according to the Hindu panchang :

Event	Date	Time
Mahashivratri Festival	Sunday, February 15, 2026	Night-long observance
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins	February 15, 2026	05:04 PM
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends	February 16, 2026	05:34 PM
Nishita Kaal Puja Time	February 16, 2026	12:09 AM to 01:01 AM
Shivaratri Parana (Fast Breaking)	February 16, 2026	06:59 AM to 03:24 PM

Four Prahar Puja Timings

The night of Mahashivratri is divided into four prahars (watches), and devotees can perform puja during each phase :

First Prahar: February 15, 6:11 PM to 9:23 PM
Second Prahar: February 15, 9:23 PM to 12:35 AM (Feb 16)
Third Prahar: February 16, 12:35 AM to 3:47 AM
Fourth Prahar: February 16, 3:47 AM to 6:59 AM

Mythological Significance of Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is deeply rooted in Hindu scriptures and is associated with several divine legends :

The Divine Marriage of Shiva and Parvati: According to popular belief, Mahashivratri celebrates the sacred wedding night of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This union symbolizes the merging of consciousness (Shiva) and energy (Shakti), representing the ultimate harmony of creation .

Shiva's Cosmic Dance – Tandava: Mythology holds that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, which maintains the cosmic cycle .

The Emergence of the Shiva Lingam: Another significant legend states that Lord Shiva appeared as the Jyotirlinga, an eternal pillar of light, on the night of Mahashivratri. This form represents the limitless and formless nature of the Supreme .

The Neelkanth Story: During the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), a deadly poison called Halahal emerged. To save the universe, Lord Shiva consumed the poison, holding it in his throat, which turned blue and earned him the name Neelkanth. Mahashivratri honors this act of supreme sacrifice .

Spiritual and Astrological Importance

Mahashivratri holds immense spiritual significance beyond its mythological roots :

A Night of Divine Alignment: It is believed that on this night, planetary energies naturally support spiritual growth. The alignment of cosmic forces makes it an ideal time for meditation and self-realization .
Awakening of Kundalini Energy: In yogic traditions, Mahashivratri is considered a powerful night for spiritual practices. Chanting and meditation are said to help awaken dormant spiritual forces within the seeker .
Removal of Obstacles: Lord Shiva is known as the destroyer of ignorance, fear, and negativity. Devotees pray on this night for health, prosperity, protection, success, and ultimately, liberation (Moksha) .

According to the scriptures, Lord Shiva is the origin of creation—the balancer of creation, sustenance, and destruction. The Shiva Element is believed to be most active on Mahashivratri, making it the ideal night for self-reflection, penance, chanting, and meditation .

Mahashivratri Puja Vidhi (Ritual Procedure)

Performing the Mahashivratri puja with sincerity and devotion is believed to bring immense blessings. Here is the step-by-step puja procedure :

1. Early Morning Bath and Sankalp

Wake up before sunrise, take a holy bath, and wear clean clothes. Take a vow (sankalp) to observe the fast and worship Lord Shiva with dedication throughout the day and night.

2. Cleaning the Puja Space

Prepare the altar with a Shiva Lingam or an idol of Lord Shiva. Clean the space and gather all necessary puja items.

3. Abhishek (Sacred Bathing of Shiva Lingam)

The most important ritual is the Abhishek, where the Shiva Lingam is bathed with sacred offerings. Each item used in the Abhishek symbolizes purification of the body and soul:

Water
Milk
Curd
Honey
Ghee
Sugarcane juice
Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges)

4. Offerings to Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva is especially pleased with certain offerings :

Bel leaves (Bilva Patra) – considered the most sacred offering
Dhatura – poisonous fruit offered to please Lord Shiva
Bhasma (holy ash) – symbolizes renunciation
White flowers – represent purity
Fruits and sweets

5. Chanting Mantras

Devotees chant powerful Shiva mantras throughout the night :

"Om Namah Shivaya" – the five-syllable mantra that connects the devotee with the Shiva principle
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: "Om Trayambhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam, Urvarukmiv Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat"
Shiva Chalisa
Rudram recitation

6. Night Vigil (Jagran)

Mahashivratri means staying awake all night in devotion. Devotees engage in meditation, bhajans (devotional songs), and kirtans (chanting sessions) throughout the night .

7. Four Prahar Puja

Many devotees perform Shiva worship in four phases during the night, each with special offerings and prayers. This is considered highly meritorious .

Mahashivratri Vrat (Fasting Rules)

Fasting on Mahashivratri is an integral part of the observance :

One day before (Trayodashi): Eat only once, a light sattvik meal to prepare for the main fast
On Shivaratri day: Observe a full-day fast. Some devotees observe a strict nirjala fast (without water), while others may consume water, milk, fruits, and light sattvik foods
Avoid: Grains, garlic, onions, and non-vegetarian food
Breaking the fast (Parana): The fast is broken on February 16 after sunrise, ideally before the Chaturdashi Tithi ends (by 3:24 PM)

The vrat represents refraining from sensual pleasures and committing fully to spiritual discipline .

Major Celebrations Across India

Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore – 33rd Mahashivratri Festival

The Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore is set to host its grand 33rd Mahashivratri celebrations on February 15, 2026, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attending as the special guest. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of State L Murugan will also be present .

The 12-hour overnight observance, held before the iconic 112-foot Adiyogi statue, will feature :

Pancha Bhuta Kriya – a ritual honoring the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) at the Dhyanalinga
Yogeshwara Linga Maha Abhishekam – conducted by Sadhguru for the first time, open to global participants for free
Midnight meditations – led by Sadhguru during the Sandhya and Brahma Muhurtham hours
Musical performances by top artists including Aditya Gadhvi, Prashant Sonagra, Sounds of Isha, Swaroop Khan, and Blaaze
Adiyogi Divya Darshanam – a light-and-sound presentation illuminating the 112-foot Adiyogi statue

The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of devotees onsite and reach more than 140 million viewers worldwide through television and digital broadcasts in 23 languages .

Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple

At the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Mahashivratri will be celebrated with special rituals and the famous Bhasma Aarti. The temple will remain open through the night for devotees .

Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple

In Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple will witness massive crowds with special pujas, Rudrabhishek, and chanting throughout the night. The entire city takes on a festive atmosphere with processions and devotional songs.

School Holidays for Mahashivratri 2026

Since Mahashivratri falls on a Sunday, February 15, 2026, schools in most states will already be closed. However, several state governments have officially declared holidays in their academic calendars :

Uttar Pradesh: All government and private schools will remain closed on Mahashivratri. Some schools have also declared Saturday, February 14, a holiday
Delhi-NCR: Schools in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram will remain closed on February 15
Other states: Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh have also approved Mahashivratri holidays

Students are advised to check their school's official communication for any updates .

Benefits of Worshipping on Mahashivratri

Devotees believe that observing Mahashivratri with sincerity brings numerous blessings :

Inner peace and mental clarity
Relief from stress and negativity
Fulfillment of sincere desires
Protection from evil influences
Spiritual progress and the ultimate goal of Moksha
Strength to overcome life's challenges

The scriptures teach that Lord Shiva, known as Bholenath (the innocent one), is pleased even with simple offerings made with pure devotion. Emotion and sincerity matter more than elaborate rituals .

Conclusion

Mahashivratri 2026, falling on February 15, offers a powerful spiritual opportunity for devotees to connect with the divine consciousness of Lord Shiva. Through fasting, chanting, meditation, and night-long vigil, seekers can experience inner transformation and receive the blessings of Mahadev.

As Sadhguru often emphasizes, Mahashivratri is not just a festival but a night of immense potential—when the planetary positions naturally support human spiritual evolution. Whether you visit a temple, perform puja at home, or join the grand celebrations at Isha Yoga Center, may this sacred night bring you peace, strength, and enlightenment .

Om Namah Shivaya!

Mahashivratri 2026: Key Takeaways

Aspect	Details
Date	Sunday, February 15, 2026 (night-long observance)
Nishita Kaal Puja	February 16, 12:09 AM to 1:01 AM
Parana Time	February 16, 6:59 AM to 3:24 PM
Key Rituals	Abhishek, offering bel patra and dhatura, chanting Om Namah Shivaya, night vigil
Major Celebration	Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore (with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh)
Significance	Wedding of Shiva and Parvati; emergence of Jyotirlinga; Shiva's Tandava; Neelkanth sacrifice