DeitiesScripturesTirthFestivalsPanchangAartisDirectory
Fasts and festivalsShaiva tradition

Maha Shivratri 2027

Saturday, 6 March 2027

Phalgun Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta) · Magh Krishna Chaturdashi (Amanta)

In 150 days
Maha Shivratri: milk poured on a Shivling decked with bel leaves and flowers, with a trishul, a damru and lit lamps nearby
Image: made with AI

Puja muhurat

Nishita Kaal pujaEighth muhurat of the night
12:08 AM–12:57 AM
First praharAbhishek with milk
6:24 PM–9:28 PM
Second praharAbhishek with curd
9:28 PM–12:32 AM
Third praharAbhishek with ghee
12:32 AM–3:36 AM
Fourth praharAbhishek with honey
3:36 AM–6:40 AM
Parana, 7 MarchAfter sunrise, before Chaturdashi ends
6:40 AM–1:47 PM

Times are in Indian Standard Time, worked out from the chosen city’s sunrise and sunset.

In short

Maha Shivratri 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 March. It is observed on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Phalgun (Purnimanta). On this night devotees fast, keep vigil through the night and bathe the Shivalinga (abhishek) in each of the four prahars.

Edited by the SanatanBodh editorial teamLast updated: 3 sourcesDrafted with AI, checked against sourcesReport a mistake

Why it is celebrated

Lingodbhava: the endless light

According to the story, Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of fire whose beginning and end even Brahma and Vishnu could not find.

Shiva PuranaLinga Purana

The night of Shiva and Parvati’s wedding

In many places this night is celebrated as the wedding of Shiva and Parvati.

Folk tradition

How to fast and perform the puja

  1. Step 1

    Morning bath and sankalpa

    After bathing, take the vow (sankalpa) of the fast before the Shivalinga.

  2. Step 2

    Fast through the day

    With fruit only or without water, according to your strength and health.

  3. Step 3

    Offerings to the Shivalinga

    Offer water, milk and bel leaves; datura and sacred ash are also offered by tradition.

  4. Step 4

    Night vigil and the four prahar pujas

    Abhishek in every prahar and chanting of "ॐ नमः शिवाय" (Om Namah Shivaya).

  5. Step 5

    Parana the next day

    On 7 March, after sunrise and before Chaturdashi ends.

The fast’s story

The hunter and the bel leaves

A hunter unknowingly sat all night in a bel tree, plucking leaves and dropping them below. Beneath the tree was a Shivalinga, and the bel leaves kept falling on it. Even this unknowing worship and vigil became the cause of his welfare.

Frequently asked questions

When is Maha Shivratri 2027?

Saturday, 6 March 2027.

What is the difference between Maha Shivratri and Masik Shivratri?

Masik (monthly) Shivratri falls every month on Krishna Chaturdashi. The Shivratri on the Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalgun (Purnimanta) is called Maha Shivratri.

What is Nishita Kaal?

If the night from sunset to the next sunrise is divided into 15 muhurats, the eighth is Nishita Kaal. The main Maha Shivratri puja is done at this time.

What can one eat during the fast?

By tradition, fruit, milk and fasting food (phalahar); many keep the fast without water. Decide according to your health.

Sources

  1. Shiva Purana
  2. Linga Purana
  3. Tithi and muhurat: SanatanBodh panchang calculation (from sunrise, sunset and the positions of the Moon and Sun)

Something wrong? Report a mistake