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Maha Shivaratri 2010 Date — Friday, February 12, 2010

When is Maha Shivaratri in 2010? Maha Shivaratri 2010 falls on Friday, February 12, 2010.

Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.

Maha Shivaratri 2010 — full list of dates

Maha Shivaratri 2010 key dates and days
ObservanceDate & dayNotes
Maha ShivaratriFri, 12 February 2010Four-prahar night puja
Amavasya (next day)Fri, 15 January 2010

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

  1. Bath and fasting from sunrise.
  2. Shiva lingam abhishekam each prahar with bilva.
  3. Om Namah Shivaya japa through the night.
  4. Visit temple for jagaran and Rudrabhishek if possible.
  5. Break fast after sunrise bath on next day with prasad.

Maha Shivaratri dates by year

When is Maha Shivaratri — 2009 to 2013
YearDate & day
2009Mon, 23 February 2009
2010Fri, 12 February 2010
2011Thu, 3 March 2011
2012Mon, 20 February 2012
2013Sun, 10 March 2013

Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2010