Mahashivratri 2026: In Ujjain, the city of Lord Shiva, every festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. Similarly, Mahashivratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the God of Gods, is a very sacred and special festival in Hinduism. This day is a special occasion of devotion, faith, and spiritual practice for Shiva devotees. While Shivratri falls every month on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha), the Shivratri that falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna is called Mahashivratri. This Shivratri holds the greatest significance.

According to religious beliefs, Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a Shivalinga on this auspicious night. The Shivalinga is considered a symbol of creation and life. It is believed that the energy of the entire universe, including the five elements, is contained within the Shivalinga. This is why the worship, fasting, and spiritual practices performed on the night of Mahashivratri are considered highly fruitful. Prayers offered with a sincere heart on this day fulfill the wishes of devotees. Another belief is that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married on Mahashivratri. For this reason, Shiva processions are taken out in many places on this day, and special celebrations are held in Shiva temples. Let's learn about the significance of Shivratri and the auspicious timings for the four-part worship from Acharya Anand Bhardwaj of Ujjain.

When will Mahashivratri be celebrated?
According to the Vedic calendar, this year, the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna will begin on February 15th, Sunday, at 5:04 PM. This Chaturdashi Tithi will continue until 5:34 PM on February 16th, Monday. Therefore, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on February 15th. The Mahashivratri fast will be observed on February 15th, and Lord Shiva will be worshipped according to the prescribed rituals.

Auspicious timings for the four-part worship on Mahashivratri
Worshipping in all four parts of the night on Mahashivratri is of great importance. The worship begins in the evening of Mahashivratri and is performed a total of four times until the morning of the next day. That is, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in all four parts of the night. This year, the auspicious timings for the four-part puja on Mahashivratri are as follows:

1. First part of the Mahashivratri puja: From 6:01 PM to 9:09 PM.
2. Second part of the Mahashivratri puja: From 9:09 PM to 12:17 AM on February 16, 2026.
3. Third part of the Mahashivratri puja: From 12:17 AM to 3:25 AM on February 16, 2026.
4. Fourth part of the Mahashivratri puja: From 3:25 AM to 6:33 AM on February 16, 2026.

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