Mahashivratri 2026

Om Namah Shivay

Sanatan Sanstha

When is Mahashivratri celebrated ?

Magha
Krushna
Chaturdashi

15th
February
2026

• Bhagwan Shiva’s rest lasting one prahar of the night, is called Mahashivratri
• In certain parts of India it is celebrated on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi (Vikram Samvat)
• The time flies in the realm of Deities. So Bhagwan Shiva’s daily resting period comes once a year on Earth

।। ॐ नमः शिवाय ।।

When is Mahashivratri celebrated ?

Magha
Krushna Paksha
Chaturdashi

15th
February
2026

Bhagwan Shiva’s rest lasting one prahar of the night, is called Mahashivratri

In certain parts of India it is celebrated on Falgun Krushna Chaturdashi (Vikram Samvat)

The time flies in the realm of Deities. So Bhagwan Shiva’s daily resting period comes once a year on Earth

Importance of Mahashivratri

On the day of Mahashivratri, Shiva-tattva (Deity Shiva’s Principle) is a thousand times more active in the atmosphere as compared to the other days. To avail maximum spiritual benefit of the Shiva-tattva on this day, chant ।। Om Namah Shivay ।। and worship Deity Shiva with bhav (spiritual emotion). By obtaining more Shiva-tattva, we are protected from negative energies.

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The duration when Bhagwan Shiva rests during mahashivratri is called as Pradosh or Nishithkal. During this time Bhagwan Shiva goes from the state of Dhyan (meditation) to state of Samadhi. On Earth this time is lasts about an hour to one and a half hours.

Worshipping Shiva during this period, even out of ignorance, or even with mistakes in the worship, bestows full benefits to the worshipper.

Importance of Mahashivratri

On the day of Mahashivratri, Shiva-tattva (Deity Shiva’s Principle) is a thousand times more active in the atmosphere as compared to the other days. To avail maximum spiritual benefit of the Shiva-tattva on this day, chant ।। Om Namah Shivay ।। and worship Deity Shiva with bhav (spiritual emotion). By obtaining more Shiva-tattva, we are protected from negative energies.

Read More

The duration when Bhagwan Shiva rests during mahashivratri is called as Pradosh or Nishithkal. During this time Bhagwan Shiva goes from the state of Dhyan (meditation) to state of Samadhi. On Earth this time is lasts about an hour to one and a half hours.

Worshipping Shiva during this period, even out of ignorance, or even with mistakes in the worship, bestows full benefits to the worshipper.

Importance of Mahashivratri

On the day of Mahashivratri, Shiva-tattva (Deity Shiva’s Principle) is a thousand times more active in the atmosphere as compared to the other days. To avail maximum spiritual benefit of the Shiva-tattva on this day, chant ।। Om Namah Shivay ।। and worship Deity Shiva with bhav (spiritual emotion). By obtaining more Shiva-tattva, we are protected from negative energies.

Read More

The duration when Bhagwan Shiva rests during mahashivratri is called as Pradosh or Nishithkal. During this time Bhagwan Shiva goes from the state of Dhyan (meditation) to state of Samadhi. On Earth this time is lasts about an hour to one and a half hours.

Worshipping Shiva during this period, even out of ignorance, or even with mistakes in the worship, bestows full benefits to the worshipper.

Visit a Shiva Temple!

How to take darshan of Shivapindi ?

There is a vigraha of Nandi, Shiva’s vahana in front of the Shivpindi. First pay respects to Nandi, who will help you obtain darshan of the Shivpindi.

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Shrungadarshan
First obtain darshan of Nandi by touching both the horns, before having darshan of the Shivapindi in a Shiva temple.
Then sit or stand to the right side of Nandi and place your left hand on Nandi’s testicles. Place the forefinger and thumb of the right hand on the two horns. Now, view the Shivapindi through the frame thus created by the finger, thumb and the horns. This is Shrungadarshan the prescribed way of obtaining darshan of a Shivapindi.

How to perform pradakshina around a Shivapindi ?

The path of pradakshina (circumambulation) around Deity Shiva or Shivapindi is shaped like a crescent moon and not a complete circle.

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The sutra, i.e. channel, which runs from Shalunka towards north, i.e. towards Soma, upto the temple premises is called Somasutra. When you stand in front of the Shivapindi, the pranala which is the channel for the abhishek water to drain, is to the right. Stand in front of the Shivapindi. The path of pradakshina starts from here. Go to the other side of the channel in the clockwise direction. Then come back to the starting point. Do not cross the channel. This completes one pradakshina.

Apply this rule only to Shivpindis installed by man. This does not apply to Swayambhu Lingas as well as Chal Lingas (that is Shivling at home).

Visit a Shiva Temple!

How to take darshan of Shivapindi?

There is a vigraha of Nandi, Shiva’s vahana in front of the Shivpindi. First pay respects to Nandi, who will help you obtain darshan of the Shivpindi.

Read More

Shrungadarshan
First obtain darshan of Nandi by touching both the horns, before having darshan of the Shivapindi in a Shiva temple.
Then sit or stand to the right side of Nandi and place your left hand on Nandi’s testicles. Place the forefinger and thumb of the right hand on the two horns. Now, view the Shivapindi through the frame thus created by the finger, thumb and the horns. This is Shrungadarshan the prescribed way of obtaining darshan of a Shivapindi.

Read more

How to perform pradakshina around a Shivapindi?

The path of pradakshina (circumambulation) around Deity Shiva or Shivapindi is shaped like a crescent moon and not a complete circle.

Read More

The sutra, i.e. channel, which runs from Shalunka towards north, i.e. towards Soma, upto the temple premises is called Somasutra. When you stand in front of the Shivapindi, the pranala which is the channel for the abhishek water to drain, is to the right. Stand in front of the Shivapindi. The path of pradakshina starts from here. Go to the other side of the channel in the clockwise direction. Then come back to the starting point. Do not cross the channel. This completes one pradakshina.

Apply this rule only to Shivpindis installed by man. This does not apply to Swayambhu Lingas as well as Chal Lingas (that is Shivling at home).

Read more

Mahashivratri Vrat

Three things to follow to please Mahadev
• Fast
• Remain Awake
• Offer Worship
To read the rest, click the button below

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Remain ekabhukt (have only one meal) on Magha Krishna Trayodashi (Thirteenth day in the dark fortnight of eleventh month as per the Hindu lunar calendar).
On the next morning (Chaturdashi) take the sankalp(resolve or intent) for the vrat. In the evening, bathe in a river or a lake according to religious customs. Wear a rudraksha mala and apply bhasma (holy ash). During Pradosh time go to a Shiva temple, meditate, perform Shodashopchar-puja (ritualistic worship involving sixteen specific substances) and offer water to Shiva-Parvati. Deity Shiva should be offered 108 lotuses or bel leaves, accompanied by chanting His name. Then Arghya (an oblation of water to God) should be given after offering flowers. After the worship, recitation of verses and chanting of moolmantras (the primal mantra) is completed, the flowers offered to Deity Shiva are taken and touched to our forehead. Seek pardon for the sins committed.

On the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Jyeshtha, Shiva, and on the fourteenth day, Revati should be ritualistically worshipped with blue flowers. The tuft of Kevada plant should be offered to Deity Shiva during the udyapan (ritual of concluding) of the Mahashivratri vrat.

Mahashivratri Vrat

Fasting, worship and remaining awake the whole night are the three aspects of this vrat.

‘On the day of Mahashivratri, Deity Shiva is also offered mango blossoms.’ – Gurudev Dr. Kateswamiji

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Remain ekabhukt (have only one meal) on Magha Krishna Trayodashi (Thirteenth day in the dark fortnight of eleventh month as per the Hindu lunar calendar).
On the next morning (Chaturdashi) take the sankalp(resolve or intent) for the vrat. In the evening, bathe in a river or a lake according to religious customs. Wear a rudraksha mala and apply bhasma (holy ash). During Pradosh time go to a Shiva temple, meditate, perform Shodashopchar-puja (ritualistic worship involving sixteen specific substances) and offer water to Shiva-Parvati. Deity Shiva should be offered 108 lotuses or bel leaves, accompanied by chanting His name. Then Arghya (an oblation of water to God) should be given after offering flowers. After the worship, recitation of verses and chanting of moolmantras (the primal mantra) is completed, the flowers offered to Deity Shiva are taken and touched to our forehead. Seek pardon for the sins committed.

On the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Jyeshtha, Shiva, and on the fourteenth day, Revati should be ritualistically worshipped with blue flowers. The tuft of Kevada plant should be offered to Deity Shiva during the udyapan (ritual of concluding) of the Mahashivratri vrat.

Do this on Mahashivratri

Do this on Mahashivratri!

 On Mahashivratri, the tattva of Bhagwan Shiva is a thousand times more active than on other days, chant the ‘Om Namah Shivaya‘ mantra as much as possible.

Listen to the Chant


If possible perform a milk abhishek on the shivapindi. Milk has a greater ability to attract and quickly activate the Shiva tattva. This milk is then partaken as tirtha benefitting the individual at a spiritual level with the Shiva tattva to a greater extent.

If one performs spiritual practice on Mahashivratri, then one is bound to obtain maximum benefit from the increased principle of Deity Shiva. One may also have spiritual experiences. To know how to perform spiritual practice, how to celebrate festivals in the correct way, how to worship your favourite Deity, join Sanatan Sanstha’s online orientation ‘Sadhana Samvad‘! 

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Deity Shiva should be offered flowers of Dhatura, white lotus, Shweta Kanher (White Oleander), Chameli (Plumeria alba), Mandar (Coral), Nagachampa (Mesua ferrea L.), Punnaga (Calopbyllum inophyllum), Nagakeshar (Mesua ferrea), Nishigandha (Tube-rose), Jai (Jasmine), Jui (Eared jasmine), Mogra (Daisy) or other white flowers. (Kevada [Screwpine flower] is prohibited for Shiva; hence, it should not be offered, except on the day of Mahashivratri.)

White akshata represent extreme detachment, that is a symbol of selfless spiritual practice. Generally white akshata are used to attract waves of the superior Deities, maximally related to the nirgun (non-materialized). These waves from the Universe are subtler, than those attracted by red akshata. Since the Principle of Deity Shiva is associated with the waves of karma (action) and dnyan (knowledge) respectively, white akshata related to the nirgun, are used while worshipping Him.

On Mahashivratri, bel patra (leaves of bel tree), white flowers etc. are offered on the Shivapindi which attract maximum Shiva principle. Through these items more Shiva-tattva is attracted from the environment. Chanting the name of Deity Shiva or by offering bel patra alongwith chanting His various names is called as Bilvarchan. In this ritual, the Shivapindi is thus completely covered with bel patra.


While worshipping the tarak (saviour) form of Deity Shiva, devotees should use incense-sticks and fragrance of Jasmine & heena. But on Mahashivratri, it is recommended to use the fragrance & incense-stick of Kewada.

 On Mahashivratri, the tattva of Bhagwan Shiva is a thousand times more active than on other days, chant the ‘Om Namah Shivaya‘ mantra as much as possible.

Listen to the Chant


While worshipping the tarak (saviour) form of Deity Shiva, devotees should use incense-sticks and fragrance of Jasmine & heena. But on Mahashivratri, it is recommended to use the fragrance & incense-stick of Kewada.


If possible perform a milk abhishek on the shivapindi. Milk has a greater ability to attract and quickly activate the Shiva tattva. This milk is then partaken as tirtha benefitting the individual at a spiritual level with the Shiva tattva to a greater extent.

If one performs spiritual practice on Mahashivratri, then one is bound to obtain maximum benefit from the increased principle of Deity Shiva. One may also have spiritual experiences. To know how to perform spiritual practice, how to celebrate festivals in the correct way, how to worship your favourite Deity, join Sanatan Sanstha’s online orientation ‘Sadhana Samvad‘! 

Attend Sandhana Samvad

While performing puja of any Deity, after bathing the idol, haldi and Kumkum is offered. But it is forbidden to offer haldi-kumkum on a Shivapindi. Haldi (turmeric) grows beneath the ground level. It is considered a symbol of creation. Kumkum is also a made from haldi, hence it also represents creation. As Shiva is the Deity of dissolution (Laya), haldi which is a symbol of creation, cannot be used in His worship. Bhasma (holy ash) being a symbol of dissolution is applied on a Shivapindi. On the visible side of the Shivapindi, three equivalent horizontal parallel lines are made using bhasma. In middle of the three lines, a circular shape is drawn which is called as Shivaksha.

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Deity Shiva should be offered flowers of Dhatura, white lotus, Shweta Kanher (White Oleander), Chameli (Plumeria alba), Mandar (Coral), Nagachampa (Mesua ferrea L.), Punnaga (Calopbyllum inophyllum), Nagakeshar (Mesua ferrea), Nishigandha (Tube-rose), Jai (Jasmine), Jui (Eared jasmine), Mogra (Daisy) or other white flowers. (Kevada [Screwpine flower] is prohibited for Shiva; hence, it should not be offered, except on the day of Mahashivratri.)

White akshata represent extreme detachment, that is a symbol of selfless spiritual practice. Generally white akshata are used to attract waves of the superior Deities, maximally related to the nirgun (non-materialized). These waves from the Universe are subtler, than those attracted by red akshata. Since the Principle of Deity Shiva is associated with the waves of karma (action) and dnyan (knowledge) respectively, white akshata related to the nirgun, are used while worshipping Him.

On Mahashivratri, bel patra (leaves of bel tree), white flowers etc. are offered on the Shivapindi which attract maximum Shiva principle. Through these items more Shiva-tattva is attracted from the environment. Chanting the name of Deity Shiva or by offering bel patra alongwith chanting His various names is called as Bilvarchan. In this ritual, the Shivapindi is thus completely covered with bel patra.

Read more

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