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Mahashivratri 2026: Mahashivratri, the great festival of Shiva worship, is on Sunday, 15th February. There is a tradition of worshiping Lord Shiva on this festival especially at night. Mahashivratri is also called Maharatri, because the worship done at night on this date is considered to give inexhaustible virtues.
Astrologer and Tarot card reader Nitika Sharma, Director of Shri Lakshminarayan Astro Solution Ajmer, said that it is written in Shivpuran that Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Shivlinga on the night of Chaturdashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. At that time there was a dispute going on between Brahma and Vishnu. Both the gods were declaring themselves superior. To calm this dispute, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Shivalinga and expressed his glory to these two gods. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun.
Shivratri, which is celebrated on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month, will be celebrated this time in two auspicious yogas, on 15th February in Triyodashi Yukt Chaturdashi in Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga. On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees of Lord Shiva observe fast with devotion and faith and worship Shiva-Gauri with rituals. It is said that on the day of Mahashivratri, Lord Bholenath is present in all the Shivlingas present on earth, hence the worship of Shiva done on the day of Mahashivratri gives many times more results.
Trayodashi will start on 14th February at 4.02 pm and will continue till 5.05 pm on 15th February. Chaturdashi will start at 5.06 pm on 15th February, which will continue till 5.35 pm on 16th February. For this reason, this time the festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated on Chaturdashi along with Trayodashi on 15th February. On this day, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is also being formed from 7.08 am to 7.48 pm. On this day, Shiva Linga should be worshiped with rituals. By worshiping Lord Shiva in auspicious coincidence and auspicious time, his devotees will get the desired results.
Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is considered a very auspicious yoga in astrology. Which means the one who fulfills all the desires. It is formed by the combination of a particular Vaar (day) and certain Nakshatras, it is believed that work (like business, buying a vehicle, shopping) is definitely successful. This yoga removes obstacles and gives desired results.
Shivratri was called Maharatri in Markandeya Purana.
There is mention of three types of terrible nights in Shri Durga Saptashati of Markandeya Purana. These three nights have been called Kalratri, Maharatri and Moharatri. The festival of Holi is celebrated as Kalratri. Whereas Diwali and Sharad Purnima are considered the festivals of Mohratri. However, some scholars also consider Diwali as the festival of Kalratri. Shivratri is especially said to be Maharatri, because this night is considered very important for sadhana and devotion. In Hindu religion, there is a tradition of celebrating most of the festivals after sunrise, but there are some festivals which should be celebrated at night. Among these, Holi, Diwali, Sharad Purnima, Janmashtami, Shivratri and Navratri are prominent. Night has importance in these festivals, because this time is considered best for meditation, meditation and connecting with God.
Mahashivratri date
According to the Vedic calendar, this year the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month will start on Sunday, February 15 at 05:04 pm. This Chaturdashi tithi will last till 5:34 pm on 16th February. In such a situation, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on Sunday 15th February. On the day of Mahashivratri, an auspicious coincidence of Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is taking place. There will be an auspicious combination of Uttarashadha and Shravan Nakshatra. Vyatipat Yoga will be formed, which is going to last the whole day. The combination of Sun, Mercury, Rahu and Venus in Aquarius will create Chaturgrahi Yoga.
four hour puja
According to religious belief, during the festival period of Mahashivratri, the practice of four hours has special significance. In each Prahar, different types of worship of Lord Shiva are described. According to mythological beliefs, Sadhana should be done as per the devotion, as per the time, as per the situation and as per the treatment. By doing the Sadhana of Char Prahar one attains wealth, fame, prestige and prosperity. Those who are facing problems related to children in their life should also do this sadhana.
Char Prahar puja time
- First Prahar Puja Time: 06:15 PM to 09:28 PM
- Second Prahar Puja Time: 09:29 PM to 12:41 AM
- Tritiya Prahar Puja Time: 12:42 midnight to 03:54 am on 16th February
- Chaturtha Prahar Puja Time: 16th February, 03:55 am to 07:07 am
Chant Mahamrityunjay Mantra in worship
While worshiping Shiva on Mahashivratri, one should chant mantras as per one’s wishes. Chanting this mantra removes unknown fear and anxiety. Due to Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, one gets special blessings of Lord Shiva, due to which happiness and peace remains in life.
Mahamrityunjay Mantra- Om Trimbakam Yajamahe Sugandhimpushtivardhanam Urvarukamiv Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat.
Abhishekam to Lord Shiva with these things
It is auspicious to anoint Shivalinga with honey while worshiping Lord Shiva on the day of Mahashivratri festival. By doing this, all the problems coming in the devotee’s work life are removed and the blessings of Lord Shiva remain intact. Performing Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva with curd on the day of Shivratri also removes all the problems in the financial sector. Mother Lakshmi is pleased by anointing Lord Shiva with sugarcane juice. While anointing Lord Shiva 108 times ‘‘Om Parvatipataye Namah’ Mantra should be chanted. By doing this there is no famine in life.
Mahashivratri 2026 worship method
On the day of Mahashivratri, bathe Lord Shiva with Panchamrit. Offer 8 pots of saffron water. Light a lamp all night. Apply sandalwood tilak. Offer Belpatra, Bhang, Dhatura, Sugarcane juice, Tulsi, Nutmeg, Lotus Gatte, Fruits, Sweets, Sweet Paan, Perfume and Dakshina. Lastly, distribute the Prasad by offering kheer containing saffron.
Mythology of Mahashivratri
According to Shivpuran, once there was a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu. The reason for the fight was that both the gods were claiming themselves to be superior. When both the gods were about to start the war with divine weapons, at that very moment Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of Linga. Lord Shiva said that whoever among you two finds the end of this Linga will be considered the best. Hearing this, Brahma ji moved towards one end and Vishnu ji moved towards the other end. For a long time, Brahma and Vishnu kept moving towards their respective ends, but they did not find the end of the Linga. At that time Brahma ji made a plan to declare himself superior.
Brahma took a Ketaki plant and asked him to lie in front of Shiva and Vishnu that Brahma ji had discovered the end of the Linga. Brahma reached Lord Shiva with the Ketaki plant, Vishnu also came there and said that he could not find the end of this Linga. Brahma said that I have found the end of this Linga, you can ask this to the Ketaki plant also. Ketaki also lied in front of God. Shiv ji became angry after hearing Brahma ji’s lie. He said that you have told a lie, hence from today you will not be worshiped anywhere and Ketaki supported your lie, hence its flowers will be prohibited in my worship. After this Vishnu ji was declared the best. This incident is considered to be of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, hence there is a tradition of celebrating Mahashivratri festival on this date.
Also read: Mahashivratri 2026: On Mahashivratri, the movement of not 1, 2 but 3 planets will change, the fortunes of many zodiac signs will increase.
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