Hindu festival
Maha Shivaratri
Also known as Mahashivratri, the Great Night of Shiva.
In short
Maha Shivaratri is the great night of Shiva, kept once a year on the Chaturdashi of the waning moon in Phalguna. Devotees fast, keep an all-night vigil, and worship the Shivling through four watches of the night, chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
Reviewed by the Godify team · Last updated
When is Maha Shivaratri?
- This year’s date
- Set by the panchang each year from the rule below. Godify shows a specific date only once it is confirmed against an authoritative panchang — never guessed.
- Tithi / rule
- Chaturdashi (14th tithi) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the month of Phalguna
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Shiva
In the Purnimanta calendar the same night falls in Magha; the tithi — Krishna Chaturdashi — is the same. It is observed through the night, especially the nishita kaal (midnight).
The story
Maha Shivaratri marks the night dedicated to Shiva — variously honoured as the night of his cosmic dance, of his marriage to Parvati, and of the appearance of the infinite lingam of light. Unlike most festivals, it is observed at night and through the night rather than by day.
Its spirit is inward: stillness, vigilance, and devotion. The all-night vigil (jagaran) and fast are held as a turning of attention toward the calm, unchanging awareness that Shiva represents — the steady centre beneath the mind's movement.
How it’s celebrated
Devotees fast, keep a night-long vigil, bathe the Shivling with water, milk, and bilva leaves through the four watches of the night, and chant Om Namah Shivaya and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ नमः शिवाय
oṃ namaḥ śivāya
I bow to Shiva, the auspicious inner Self who transforms and frees.
Temples for Maha Shivaratri
More Hindu festivals
About Maha Shivaratri
When is Maha Shivaratri?
On the Chaturdashi (14th tithi) of the Krishna Paksha in Phalguna, observed through the night. The exact Gregorian date is fixed by the panchang each year.
What do you do on Maha Shivaratri?
Fast, keep an all-night vigil, worship the Shivling with water and bilva leaves through the four watches of the night, and chant Om Namah Shivaya.
Mark Maha Shivaratri with Bhagavan
Ask about the festival's meaning, its deity, or a verse or mantra to observe the day — free, private, any hour.
Talk to Bhagavan