Mahashivratri 2026: When is the great festival of Mahashivratri on 15 or 16 February? Know the exact date, auspicious time, worship method and importance

Mahashivratri 2026

Mahashivratri 2026 Date: Every year the holy festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati met on this day. On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees reach Shiva temples in the country for darshan and worship of Mahadev. On this day, the view of Mahadev’s city Kashi is very amazing. On the day of Mahashivratri, there is a fast and worship of Lord Shiva for four hours at night.

However, this time there is doubt in the minds of people whether the festival of Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 15th or 16th February. Some people say that this festival will be celebrated on 15th February. Some are also saying that this festival should be celebrated on 16th February, so let us know which date will be right to celebrate Mahashivratri, 15th February or 16th February? Also know the time, method and importance of worship at all four hours of the night.

When is Mahashivratri 2026? (When is Mahashivratri 2026?

According to the Panchang, this year the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month is starting on 15 February at 05:04 pm. This date will end on 16th February at 05:34 pm. In the worship of Mahashivratri, four prahars of night and Nishith period are valid. The rule of Udayatithi does not apply in this festival. In such a situation, the night of 15th February will be the night of Mahashivratri, hence this year Mahashivratri will be celebrated on 15th February.

Four-hour puja time (Mahashivratri 2026 four-hour puja time)

• On the day of Mahashivratri, the first hour of worship will be done from 06 pm to 09 pm.
• The puja of the second half will be done from 09 to 12 at night.
• The worship of the third hour will be done from 12 to 03 in the night.
• The puja of the fourth hour will be from 03 to 6 in the morning.

Mahashivratri worship method (Mahashivratri 2026 Puja Vidhi)

• On the day of Mahashivratri, wake up early in the morning and take bath.
• Then wear clean clothes.
• After this, resolve to fast while meditating on Shiva.
• First of all, offer pure water to the Shivalinga in the home temple or nearby Shivalinga.
• Then make Panchamrit from milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar and anoint Shivling.
• Finally offer water again.
• During the puja, offer Belpatra, Dhatura, white flowers etc. to Lord Shiva.
• Chant “Om Namah Shivay” or Mahamrityunjay mantra.

Importance of Mahashivratri (Mahashivratri Significance)

According to religious beliefs, Shiva and Shakti united on the day of Mahashivratri. According to the scriptures, on Mahashivratri, Shiva left the life of renunciation and adopted the life of a householder. According to Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva appeared for the first time in the form of Jyotirlinga on Mahashivratri. Therefore, chanting and meditation done on the night of Mahashivratri is considered to give thousand times more results than other days.

Also read: Vijaya Ekadashi 2026: Recite this story on the day of Vijaya Ekadashi, you will get victory over your enemies.