Maha Shivaratri 2027 Date & Puja Time: 6 March (Nishita Kaal)
Maha Shivaratri 2027 is on Saturday, 6 March 2027. In New Delhi the Nishita Kaal puja, the most important worship of the night, is from 12:07 AM to 12:57 AM on 7 March. The fast is broken (parana) on 7 March between 6:40 AM and 1:46 PM.
| Date | Saturday, 6 March 2027 |
| Tithi | Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Purnimanta) / Magha Krishna Chaturdashi (Amanta) |
| Chaturdashi tithi | 12:03 PM, 6 March to 1:46 PM, 7 March 2027 |
| Nishita Kaal puja (New Delhi) | 12:07 AM to 12:57 AM, 7 March |
| Parana (New Delhi) | 6:40 AM to 1:46 PM, 7 March |
Four prahar puja times (New Delhi)
| Prahar | Time |
|---|---|
| First prahar | 6:24 PM – 9:28 PM, 6 March |
| Second prahar | 9:28 PM – 12:32 AM, 7 March |
| Third prahar | 12:32 AM – 3:36 AM, 7 March |
| Fourth prahar | 3:36 AM – 6:40 AM, 7 March |
What is Maha Shivaratri?
Maha Shivaratri, “the great night of Shiva”, is one of the most important festivals for Shaiva devotees. Different traditions associate it with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, with the night Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Tandava), and with the appearance of Shiva as an infinite pillar of light (the Lingodbhava story). Unlike most festivals, it is celebrated mainly at night, with fasting and a vigil (jagaran).
How Maha Shivaratri is observed
- Fasting: many devotees keep a nirjala or phalahar (fruit and milk) fast through the day and night.
- Abhishek: the Shivling is bathed with water, milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar (panchamrit), and offered bilva (bel) leaves, dhatura and white flowers.
- Chanting: “Om Namah Shivaya”, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra and Shiva stotras.
- Night vigil: worship in each of the four prahars, with the Nishita Kaal puja at midnight.
- Temples: large gatherings at the Jyotirlingas, such as Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Somnath.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivaratri 2027?
Saturday, 6 March 2027, with the main midnight puja in the early hours of 7 March.
When should I break the Shivaratri fast in 2027?
Between 6:40 AM and 1:46 PM on 7 March 2027 in New Delhi, after sunrise and before the Chaturdashi tithi ends.
What is the difference between Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri?
Masik Shivaratri falls every month on Krishna Chaturdashi; Maha Shivaratri is the most important of these, once a year in Phalguna (Magha in the Amanta calendar).
