Mahashivratri 2025: Date, timings, rituals, prahar time, fasting rules and all you need to know

Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva with the many interpretations of what happened in Lord Shiva’s life that day, is a festival and occurrence that Hindus, and Shiva devotees, look forward to each year.It is one of the most powerful and energetic nights, and just manifesting in the name of Lord Shiva does wonders on this day.
The air is filled with devotion, love, raw energy, and of course, the chant of ‘Om Namah Shivay’. People pray and meditate all day, and night, and sit in deep meditation, prayer, and surrender themselves to the divine.


In 2025, Mahashivratri will be observed on Wednesday, February 26.
According to Drik Panchang, “Maha Shivaratri on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Nishita Kaal Puja Time - 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM, Feb 27
Duration - 00 Hours 50 Mins
On 27th Feb, Shivaratri Parana Time - 06:48 AM to 08:54 AM
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time - 06:19 PM to 09:26 PM on Feb 26
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time - 09:26 PM on Feb 26 to 12:34 AM, Feb 27
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time - 12:34 AM to 03:41 AM, Feb 27
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time - 03:41 AM to 06:48 AM, Feb 27
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 11:08 AM on Feb 26, 2025
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 08:54 AM on Feb 27, 2025”


Mahashivratri is one of the significant and important days for Shiva devotees all over the world. For some, Mahashivratri is the day when Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati were finally united after centuries of wait, penance, and Sadhana. For some others, it is the night when Lord Shiva performed Tandav, the dance of cosmic creation, preservation, and destruction.
And for some others, it is the day when Lord Shiva descends down to Earth, especially to his city ‘Kashi’, and spreads joy among not just Gods, but also humans and Sadhaks.
And another famous interpretation of Mahashivratri is that when Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had a discussion over who among them is the most powerful one, and it became never-ending, Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a Lingam, shining bright with light. When Lord Shiva asked them both to scale the light, neither could complete the task, and they jointly remarked that Lord Shiva was the enlightened one. And this is celebrated as Mahashivratri.
Some people also believe that observing Mahashivratri with devotion eliminates past sins and leads to moksha. It is said that staying awake on this night brings spiritual growth, fasting on this day detoxifies the body and mind, and it is a deeply personal and purifying experience.

On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees follow a strict set of rituals to ask for and be worthy of Lord Shiva’s blessings. And while most of these rituals can be performed at home, some people prefer doing them in the famous temples of Lord Shiva, or the temples near their home.
Devotees wake up early before sunrise and take a bath with gangajal and water, and then wear clean clothes before moving on to cleaning the home temple. People wear either white or saffron coloured clothes on this day, especially when doing the Puja.
Many also visit Shiva temples and offer water, milk, and bilva leaves to the Shivling. And also take part in the Rudrabhishek ritual, where Lord Shiva is worshipped with Panchamrit, which is a mix of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.
There are also group chant sessions where people sit together and chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ or do it in a personal space. There are also group chantings of the Mahamrityunjay mantra or other mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Many devotees also observe a full day of fasting, usually Nirjala vrat, and do so with great devotion and love for Lord Shiva. In fact, they only break this fast after the fourth Prahar, in the early morning hours.
Before that, they stay awake the whole night and chant mantras, sing bhajans, and meditate. It is said that staying awake and immersed in devotion to Shiva on this night helps people receive his divine energy and blessings.

The fasting on Shivratri starts at sunrise and continues until the next morning, after the 4th prahar is over. Devotees do not eat any food that is Tamsic in nature, and avoid any onion, garlic, alcohol, non-vegetarian meats, and the likes. In 2025, Shiva devotees who will keep a fast on the Mahashivratri day will start their fasting window during the Brahma Muhurat of February 26, and break it after the Brahma Muhurat of February 27.As devotees engage in meditation and 'jagran' on the night of Mahashivratri, they are expected to have a calm body and mind, without their body having the pressure to process and digest any foods.
A fasting devotee is also expected to stay calm and composed all day, avoid anger, and spend the day in spiritual activities.
Shivling abhishekam
Performing abhishek is one of the most important parts of Mahashivratri, and different offerings that are given to Lord Shiva have different meanings and importance.
For example, the milk offered to the Shivling is believed to bring blessings for a peaceful life. The honey is said to attract prosperity and sweetness in life and relationships. The curd when offered to Lord Shiva provides a cooling effect and gives good health, and the Bilva leaves, or Bel patra, are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favourite.
Some people also offer sugarcane juice, gangajal, and Chandan to Lord Shiva.
But one should make sure to not offer Tulsi leaves or Kumkum to Lord Shiva as these are considered to against his likes and ethos. It is believed that when Lord Shiva killed Jalandhar, a demon with a devoted wife, Tulsi, his wife, cursed Lord Shiva. And Kumkum or Sindoor is not offered to Lord Shiva as he is believed to be a God of ascetic nature, away from the attachments of the wordly, and thus it is best to not offer it to him.
Best temples to visit
Although all ‘bhakti’ and seva start at home, some people just naturally like to visit temples on the day and night of Mahashivratri. There they do a Rudraabhishek, chant with others, and meditate within.
And most people wish to visit temples like Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Banaras Hindu University, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, and the likes.
There is also the Somnath temple in Gujarat where devotees believe that the powers of Lord Shiva bring blessings in their life, while the Aarti in Kashi Vishwanath temple fills people with peace, calm, and an almost overwhelming love for Shiva.
People are also fond of the Bhasma aarti that is conducted in Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain and Lord Shiva is covered with sacred ash.

Although the moments of Sadhna are completely divine and people prefer to stay quite while meditating or while remembering and trying to feel the energy of Lord Shiva, some prefer to chant mantras to connect with the Lord and his divine energies. From the simple mantra of 'Om Namah Shivay' or the chant of Mahamrityunjay mantra, or even listening to the ShivTandav stotram, devotees do what makes them feel connected to the energies of Shiva.