Maha Shivaratri 2012 Date — Monday, February 20, 2012
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2012? Maha Shivaratri 2012 falls on Monday, February 20, 2012.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2012 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Mon, 20 February 2012 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Mon, 23 January 2012 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Thu, 3 March 2011 |
| 2012 | Mon, 20 February 2012 |
| 2013 | Sun, 10 March 2013 |
| 2014 | Wed, 29 January 2014 |
| 2015 | Tue, 17 February 2015 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2012
- Thaipusam 2012 date — Tue, 7 February 2012
- Holika Dahan 2012 date — Thu, 8 March 2012
- Holi 2012 date — Fri, 9 March 2012
- Vasant Panchami 2012 date — Sat, 28 January 2012
- Ugadi 2012 date — Fri, 23 March 2012
- Gudi Padwa 2012 date — Fri, 23 March 2012
- Chaitra Navratri 2012 date — Fri, 23 March 2012
- Pongal 2012 date — Sun, 15 January 2012
- Makar Sankranti 2012 date — Sun, 15 January 2012
- Ram Navami 2012 date — Sun, 1 April 2012
- Hanuman Jayanti 2012 date — Fri, 6 April 2012
- Vishu 2012 date — Fri, 13 April 2012
