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.

Maha Shivratri 2026 Puja Rules: On the occasion of Shivratri, devotees worship Lord Shiva and perform bhajans and kirtans throughout the night. According to beliefs, fasting on this day brings special blessings of Lord Shiva and brings happiness and prosperity in life. However, some rules for fasting have been mentioned in the scriptures, which are very important to follow.

This year the very holy festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 15 February 2026. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the time of worship of Nishith Kaal will be from 11.52 am on the night of 15 February 2026 to 12.42 am on 16 February 2026.

Follow these rules on the occasion of Shivratri?

There are many rules for offering water in the worship of Lord Shiva, which is very important for all of us to follow. If these rules are ignored then the full results of the puja are not achieved. Let us first know what is the correct rule of offering water on Shivalinga?

• While offering water to Shivalinga, one should always stand facing south.
• By doing this, Mahadev becomes pleased and accepts your worship.
• While offering water, keep in mind that the water should fall on the Shivalinga from the north direction.
• It is not considered appropriate to circumambulate immediately after offering water.

Follow these rules strictly on the day of Mahashivratri?

It is very important to choose the right vessel to worship Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivratri. It is inauspicious to use bronze utensils in worship. Therefore, use gold, silver or copper utensils to offer milk to Shivling.

One should avoid wearing black colored clothes on Mahashivratri. By doing this Lord Shiva gets angry. Wear yellow or light colored clothes for worship. These also include white, blue, pink and orange colors.

If for some reason you cannot keep fast on the occasion of Mahashivratri, then avoid consuming tamasic food like meat, alcohol, onion and garlic on that day. It is believed that this reduces the results of the puja.

On Mahashivratri, keep your mind pure and do not let any kind of wrong thought come into your mind.

During the fast, consume only fruits instead of grains. Worshiping Lord Shiva on this auspicious occasion keeps the mind calm.

Offering basil leaves to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivratri is considered taboo.

Apart from this, avoid offering sesame seeds to Lord Shiva, because sesame seeds are produced from the filth of Lord Vishnu.

During Mahashivratri, one should not offer broken rice to Lord Shiva.

Apart from this, coconut water should not be offered to Lord Shiva on the day of Mahashivratri.

Offering Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri has special significance. In such a situation, all three leaves of Bilva Patra should be complete, fragmented leaves should never be offered.

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