Maha Shivaratri 2003 Date — Saturday, March 1, 2003
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2003? Maha Shivaratri 2003 falls on Saturday, March 1, 2003.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2003 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Sat, 1 March 2003 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Thu, 2 January 2003 |
Why we celebrate
Great night of Shiva — marriage of Shiva-Parvati and the night Shiva performed the Tandava. Fasting and jagaran destroy sins.
How it is celebrated
All-night vigil, Shiva lingam abhishekam with milk, honey, bilva; Rudram, bhajan, and temple fairs across India.
Puja timing
Four prahars of night puja; Nishita kaal (midnight) is the most sacred for abhishekam. Fast from sunrise to next sunrise or until prasad.
Foods & offerings
Phalahar — fruits, milk, sabudana; no grains. Some eat one meal after midnight puja.
Rituals
- Bath and fasting from sunrise.
- Shiva lingam abhishekam each prahar with bilva.
- Om Namah Shivaya japa through the night.
- Visit temple for jagaran and Rudrabhishek if possible.
- Break fast after sunrise bath on next day with prasad.
Maha Shivaratri dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Tue, 12 March 2002 |
| 2003 | Sat, 1 March 2003 |
| 2004 | Tue, 20 January 2004 |
| 2005 | Sun, 9 January 2005 |
| 2006 | Sun, 26 February 2006 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2003
- Thaipusam 2003 date — Sun, 16 February 2003
- Holika Dahan 2003 date — Tue, 18 March 2003
- Holi 2003 date — Wed, 19 March 2003
- Vasant Panchami 2003 date — Thu, 6 February 2003
- Ugadi 2003 date — Wed, 2 April 2003
- Gudi Padwa 2003 date — Wed, 2 April 2003
- Chaitra Navratri 2003 date — Wed, 2 April 2003
- Ram Navami 2003 date — Fri, 11 April 2003
- Vishu 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Baisakhi 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Tamil Puthandu 2003 date — Mon, 14 April 2003
- Pongal 2003 date — Tue, 14 January 2003
