Maha Shivaratri 2008 Date — Thursday, March 6, 2008
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2008? Maha Shivaratri 2008 falls on Thursday, March 6, 2008.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2008 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Thu, 6 March 2008 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Tue, 8 January 2008 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Fri, 16 February 2007 |
| 2008 | Thu, 6 March 2008 |
| 2009 | Mon, 23 February 2009 |
| 2010 | Fri, 12 February 2010 |
| 2011 | Thu, 3 March 2011 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2008
- Thaipusam 2008 date — Thu, 21 February 2008
- Holika Dahan 2008 date — Fri, 21 March 2008
- Holi 2008 date — Sat, 22 March 2008
- Vasant Panchami 2008 date — Mon, 11 February 2008
- Ugadi 2008 date — Mon, 7 April 2008
- Gudi Padwa 2008 date — Mon, 7 April 2008
- Chaitra Navratri 2008 date — Mon, 7 April 2008
- Vishu 2008 date — Sun, 13 April 2008
- Baisakhi 2008 date — Sun, 13 April 2008
- Tamil Puthandu 2008 date — Sun, 13 April 2008
- Ram Navami 2008 date — Mon, 14 April 2008
- Hanuman Jayanti 2008 date — Sun, 20 April 2008
