Maha Shivratri 2026 – Date, Vrat Rules

 

Date & Significance

• Date: February 15, 2026 (Sunday)
• Festival: Maha Shivratri, the Great Night of Shiva, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
• Legends:
• Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (cosmic dance).
• The divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati is commemorated.

Types of Fasting (Vrat)

• Nirjala Vrat: Strict fast, no food or water.
• Phalahara Vrat: Fruits, milk, and light vrat-specific foods allowed.
• Samapta Vrat: Permits one meal along with Phalahara diet.

Do’s (Vrat Niyam)

• Rise early, preferably during Brahma Muhurat.
• Perform Dhyana (meditation) and take a Sankalpa (vow).
• Bathe, wear clean or white clothes.
• Maintain celibacy during fasting.
• Assess health before fasting; consult a doctor if under medication.
• Chant “Om Namah Shivaya” repeatedly.
• Perform Abhishek with water, milk, ghee, curd, honey.
• Offer Datura flowers, Vilva (Bel Patra), white crown flowers, fruits.
• Use Chandan (sandalwood paste) instead of turmeric.
• Perform puja during Nishita Kaal (midnight) or all four prahars.
• Consume fruits, milk, and vrat-specific recipes.

Don’ts

• Avoid wheat, rice, pulses.
• No meat, onion, garlic.
• No tobacco or alcohol.
• Do not offer coconut water, sindoor, Tulsi leaves, Ketaki flowers.
• Avoid steel containers; use brass, copper, or silver.
• Do not wear black clothes.
• Do not perform full parikrama of the Shiva Linga (only half-circumambulation).