Maha Shivaratri 2009 Date — Monday, February 23, 2009
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2009? Maha Shivaratri 2009 falls on Monday, February 23, 2009.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2009 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Mon, 23 February 2009 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Mon, 26 January 2009 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Thu, 6 March 2008 |
| 2009 | Mon, 23 February 2009 |
| 2010 | Fri, 12 February 2010 |
| 2011 | Thu, 3 March 2011 |
| 2012 | Mon, 20 February 2012 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2009
- Thaipusam 2009 date — Mon, 9 February 2009
- Holi 2009 date — Wed, 11 March 2009
- Holika Dahan 2009 date — Wed, 11 March 2009
- Vasant Panchami 2009 date — Sat, 31 January 2009
- Ugadi 2009 date — Fri, 27 March 2009
- Gudi Padwa 2009 date — Fri, 27 March 2009
- Chaitra Navratri 2009 date — Fri, 27 March 2009
- Ram Navami 2009 date — Fri, 3 April 2009
- Pongal 2009 date — Wed, 14 January 2009
- Makar Sankranti 2009 date — Wed, 14 January 2009
- Hanuman Jayanti 2009 date — Thu, 9 April 2009
- Vishu 2009 date — Tue, 14 April 2009
