Maha Shivaratri 2011 Date — Thursday, March 3, 2011
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2011? Maha Shivaratri 2011 falls on Thursday, March 3, 2011.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2011 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Thu, 3 March 2011 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Tue, 4 January 2011 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Fri, 12 February 2010 |
| 2011 | Thu, 3 March 2011 |
| 2012 | Mon, 20 February 2012 |
| 2013 | Sun, 10 March 2013 |
| 2014 | Wed, 29 January 2014 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2011
- Thaipusam 2011 date — Fri, 18 February 2011
- Holika Dahan 2011 date — Sat, 19 March 2011
- Holi 2011 date — Sun, 20 March 2011
- Vasant Panchami 2011 date — Tue, 8 February 2011
- Ugadi 2011 date — Mon, 4 April 2011
- Gudi Padwa 2011 date — Mon, 4 April 2011
- Chaitra Navratri 2011 date — Mon, 4 April 2011
- Ram Navami 2011 date — Tue, 12 April 2011
- Vishu 2011 date — Thu, 14 April 2011
- Baisakhi 2011 date — Thu, 14 April 2011
- Tamil Puthandu 2011 date — Thu, 14 April 2011
- Hanuman Jayanti 2011 date — Mon, 18 April 2011
