When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Maha Shivaratri celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Maha Shivaratri 2026 falls on Sunday, February 15, 2026 (Magha Krishna Chaturdashi in the Amavasyant calendar). The Chaturdashi tithi commences on February 15 and extends through the night, making Sunday night the primary time for Jagaran and Char Prahar Puja.

What are the exact Maha Shivaratri 2026 Nishita Kaal and Prahar timings?

The most auspicious Nishita Kaal Muhurat is on Sunday night, February 15, 2026, from 12:09 AM to 01:01 AM (Feb 16). The Char Prahar timings are: 1st Prahar (06:15 PM - 09:28 PM), 2nd Prahar (09:28 PM - 12:41 AM), 3rd Prahar (12:41 AM - 03:54 AM), and 4th Prahar (03:54 AM - 07:07 AM).

Which are the 5 Jyotirlingas located in Maharashtra?

Maharashtra is home to 5 of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas: 1. Trimbakeshwar (Nashik - source of Godavari), 2. Bhimashankar (Pune Sahyadri hills), 3. Grishneshwar (Ellora, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), 4. Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli), and 5. Parli Vaijnath (Beed).

What are the essential rules for offering Bilvapatra to the Shiva Linga?

Bilva leaves should always be offered with three intact, unblemished leaflets attached to a single stem, symbolizing the Trinity and the three eyes of Shiva. The smooth green dorsal side of the leaf should touch the Shiva Linga, with the stem pointing towards the devotee.

When should the Maha Shivaratri fast be broken (Parana)?

The Maha Shivaratri fast should be broken on Monday morning, February 16, 2026, between 07:00 AM and 03:24 PM, after completing the morning snan and final Shiva Aarti.

Maha Shivaratri 2026 | महाशिवरात्री २०२६

Maha Shivaratri 2026 Shiva Linga Abhishekam Maharashtra

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive February 2026 Calendar.

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About Maha Shivaratri(उत्सव माहिती)

Maha Shivaratri (महाशिवरात्री) is one of the most auspicious, spiritually profound, and energetically charged nights celebrated across Maharashtra. Falling on Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (according to the Amavasyant Marathi Panchang), this night marks the divine convergence of Shiva and Shakti — the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati, and the cosmic night when Lord Shiva performed the divine dance of creation, preservation, and dissolution (Tandava Nritya).

Maharashtra holds an extraordinary spiritual connection to Lord Shiva, being blessed with five of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas across India: Trimbakeshwar (Nashik), Bhimashankar (Pune/Sahyadris), Grishneshwar (Ellora, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Aundha Nagnath (Hingoli), and Parli Vaijnath (Beed). Millions of devotees undertake pilgrimages to these ancient rock-cut sanctums, chanting *'हर हर महादेव!'* and *'ॐ नमः शिवाय!'*.

In homes and temples throughout the state, devotees observe an unbroken 24-hour fast (Upavas) and an all-night spiritual vigil (Jagaran). The centerpiece of Maha Shivaratri worship is the Char Prahar Puja (four-quarter night worship), during which the sacred Shiva Linga is bathed continuously with holy water, unboiled milk, honey, sugarcane juice, and curd (Panchamrit Abhishekam), accompanied by offerings of fragrant trifoliate Bilvapatra (बेलपत्र), white dhatura flowers, and cooling bhasma (vibhuti).

History: The sanctity and cosmic history of Maha Shivaratri are detailed in the Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, and Skanda Purana:

1. Samudra Manthan and the Consumption of Halahala: During the churning of the cosmic ocean by the Devas and Asuras, a lethal poison named Halahala emerged, threatening to incinerate all creation. Filled with supreme compassion, Lord Shiva consumed the venom, holding it in his throat without swallowing. The venom turned his neck dark blue, earning him the immortal title Neelkantha (the Blue-Throated One). To soothe his burning throat, the gods poured cold river water and milk over him and offered cooling bilva leaves throughout the night, staying awake in prayer and gratitude.

2. The Manifestation of the Jyotirlinga Pillar: On this cosmic night, Lord Shiva manifested as an infinite, blazing pillar of light (Jyotirlinga) without beginning or end, humbling Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu and revealing the infinite, formless reality of supreme consciousness.

3. Maratha Devotion to Mahadev: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva (revering Sri Mahadev as the presiding deity of Hindavi Swarajya). Maha Shivaratri was observed with royal state Abhishekam across Maratha hill-fort shrines such as Rajgad, Raigad, and Pratapgad.

Significance: The observance of Maha Shivaratri carries supreme physiological, spiritual, and astrological significance:

Planetary Alignment & Spiritual Awakening: On the night of Maha Shivaratri, the northern hemisphere of Earth is positioned such that there is a natural upsurge of cosmic energy in the human body. Staying awake and maintaining an upright spine during Jagaran naturally assists spiritual seekers in raising Kundalini energy.
The Power of Bilvapatra: The sacred Bilva leaf has three leaflets symbolizing the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), the three eyes of Shiva, and the Trimurti. Offering a single unblemished Bilva leaf with devotion is said to cleanse three lifetimes of karmic sins.
Char Prahar Pujan Merit: Dividing the night into four quarters and performing Abhishekam with milk (1st Prahar), curd (2nd Prahar), ghee (3rd Prahar), and honey (4th Prahar) brings spiritual purification, health, peace of mind, and liberation (Moksha).

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning Sankalp Snan: Taking a holy bath in sacred rivers or with water infused with holy Ganga jal and black sesame seeds.

Observing strict Nirjala (waterless) or Phalahari (fasting diet) Upavas for the entire 24 hours.

Char Prahar Puja: Performing Shodashopachara Abhishekam on the Shiva Linga during all four quarters of the night (Prathama, Dwitiya, Tritiya, and Chaturtha Prahar).

Offering freshly washed trifoliate Bilvapatra (बेलपत्र), Akshata, Bhasma (sacred ash), Dhatura flowers, and Shami leaves.

Continuous chanting of the Panchakshari Mantra ('ॐ नमः शिवाय'), Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, and Shiva Tandava Stotram.

All-night devotional Jagaran: Singing Bhajans, listening to Shiva Purana Kathas, and meditating.

Breaking the fast (Parana) on the morning after Chaturdashi before sunrise or during the auspicious Muhurat.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Sabudana Khichdi (stir-fried tapioca pearls with roasted crushed peanuts, cumin, and green chillies)

Bhagar / Vari Chawal (barnyard millet cooked into a fluffy pilaf served with creamy peanut Amti)

Rajgira Puri and Ladoo (nutritious amaranth flour puris and sweet jaggery-popped seed ladoos)

Ratalyacha Kees (pan-fried spiced grated sweet potato with peanuts and lemon juice)

Singhare Ke Atte Ka Sheera (water-chestnut flour halwa cooked in pure cow ghee)

Thandai and fresh fruit milkshakes for fasting energy