Maha Shivaratri 2017 Date — Saturday, February 25, 2017
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2017? Maha Shivaratri 2017 falls on Saturday, February 25, 2017.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2017 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Sat, 25 February 2017 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Fri, 27 January 2017 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Mon, 7 March 2016 |
| 2017 | Sat, 25 February 2017 |
| 2018 | Wed, 14 February 2018 |
| 2019 | Mon, 4 March 2019 |
| 2020 | Fri, 21 February 2020 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2017
- Thaipusam 2017 date — Fri, 10 February 2017
- Holika Dahan 2017 date — Sun, 12 March 2017
- Holi 2017 date — Mon, 13 March 2017
- Vasant Panchami 2017 date — Wed, 1 February 2017
- Ugadi 2017 date — Tue, 28 March 2017
- Gudi Padwa 2017 date — Tue, 28 March 2017
- Chaitra Navratri 2017 date — Tue, 28 March 2017
- Ram Navami 2017 date — Wed, 5 April 2017
- Pongal 2017 date — Sat, 14 January 2017
- Makar Sankranti 2017 date — Sat, 14 January 2017
- Hanuman Jayanti 2017 date — Tue, 11 April 2017
- Vishu 2017 date — Fri, 14 April 2017
