Maha Shivaratri 2016 Date — Monday, March 7, 2016
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2016? Maha Shivaratri 2016 falls on Monday, March 7, 2016.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2016 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Mon, 7 March 2016 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Sat, 9 January 2016 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Tue, 17 February 2015 |
| 2016 | Mon, 7 March 2016 |
| 2017 | Sat, 25 February 2017 |
| 2018 | Wed, 14 February 2018 |
| 2019 | Mon, 4 March 2019 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2016
- Thaipusam 2016 date — Mon, 22 February 2016
- Holika Dahan 2016 date — Wed, 23 March 2016
- Holi 2016 date — Thu, 24 March 2016
- Vasant Panchami 2016 date — Fri, 12 February 2016
- Ugadi 2016 date — Fri, 8 April 2016
- Gudi Padwa 2016 date — Fri, 8 April 2016
- Chaitra Navratri 2016 date — Fri, 8 April 2016
- Vishu 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Baisakhi 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Tamil Puthandu 2016 date — Wed, 13 April 2016
- Ram Navami 2016 date — Fri, 15 April 2016
- Hanuman Jayanti 2016 date — Fri, 22 April 2016
