Mahashivratri 2026 LIVE: Mahashivratri festival is a day of fasting and penance. This year Mahashivratri is on 15 February 2026. Mahashivratri is not just a festival but is considered a special occasion of spiritual awakening and change in destiny. This is the night when Shiva and Shakti met and both entered household life.

Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Shivalinga on this holy night, making Nishita Kaal the most powerful time of worship. On this festival, Shiva is worshiped in the four hours of the night. The auspicious time of Shivratri puja is starting from 6.20 pm.

glory of mahashivratri

It is written in Shiv Purana that Shivlinga appeared for the first time on the fourteenth day of Shukla Paksha of Phalgun month i.e. on Chaturdashi Tithi. Then Lord Vishnu and Brahma ji worshiped Shivalinga. This day was called Shivratri. According to Ishaan Samhita, on this date, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a Linga with radiance equal to that of millions of suns.

‘Shiva’ means ‘welfare’ i.e. this night is very auspicious. Jagran, fasting, meditation, chanting and meditation done on this night are considered extremely fruitful. If someone fasts on this day, he gets more virtue than a hundred yagyas.

Day of marital happiness and finding a suitable life partner.

Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva got married on Mahashivratri. On this day, if husband and wife perform puja together, mutual coordination between them increases. For the success of marital life, husband and wife should perform puja, pilgrimage and other religious activities together.

Those people who are facing problems in their marriage or want to find a suitable life partner should anoint Lord Shiva on this day and night. It is said that on this night Mahadev resides in Shivling, hence the results of Shiva worship done at this time are soon achieved.

Mahashivratri 2026: Mahashivratri is on 15th February. According to Shivpuran, Shiva appeared in the form of Shivalinga to settle the dispute between Brahma and Vishnu. The day this incident happened was Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi Tithi, that is why Mahashivratri is celebrated.

On this festival, special worship is done in Shiva temples and fast is observed. This time Shivratri will be celebrated in two auspicious Yogas on 15th February in Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga in Triyodashi Yukt Chaturdashi. 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.

Mahashivratri 2026 auspicious coincidence (Mahashivratri 2026 Shubh Yog)

The date of Mahashivratri will start on 15th February at 5.06 pm Chaturdashi, which will end on 16th February at 5.35 pm. For this reason, this time the festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated on Chaturdashi along with Triyodashi on 15th February. On this day, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is also being formed from 7.08 am to 7.48 pm. 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.

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.

What to do on Mahashivratri

• On this day, crowds of Shiva devotees gather in temples from early morning. All the devotees get involved in worshiping the Lord.
• Many people also get Rudrabhishek done in their homes on this day. Lord Bholenath is worshiped in many ways.
• If devotees do special worship of Lord Shiva with Belpatra on Mahashivratri, then their financial problems will be solved. Those who are not able to worship in Shiva temple, they can worship by installing Shivalinga at home.
• Mahashivratri is a very auspicious day for establishing Shivalinga in the house. If you want to install Shivlinga in the house then the size of Shivlinga should not be too big.
• Big Shivalingas are auspicious for temples only. A small Shivalinga is auspicious for the home. It is told in Shiv Purana that a Shivalinga should not be kept in the house bigger than the first part of the thumb of the hand.
• Along with Shivalinga, small idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati, Kartikeya Swami and Nandi should also be kept.
• Shivling made of gold, silver, brass or clay-stone is considered auspicious.
• One should avoid worshiping Shivling made of aluminium, steel or iron. These metals are not considered auspicious for worship.
• Apart from these metals, Shivling made of crystal and mercury can also be installed in the house. By worshiping Shiva family together, the results of the worship can be achieved quickly.

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 gets 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 (Mahashivratri 2026 muhurat)

• First Prahar Puja Time: 06:15 pm to 09:28 pm
• Second Prahar Puja Timings: 09:29 PM to 12:41 AM
• Tritiya Prahar Puja Timings: From 12:42 midnight to 03:54 am on 16th February
• Chaturtha Prahar Puja Timings: February 16, 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.

method of worship

On the day of Mahashivratri, bathe Lord Shiva with Panchamrit. Offer 8 pots of saffron water. Light the 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

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 the same time 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-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 discovered 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.

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In the scriptures, Shravan Nakshatra is considered very auspicious for worshiping Shiva. Along with this, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is also being formed on this day, which is considered the best yoga for worship and meditation.