Maha Shivaratri 2018 Date — Wednesday, February 14, 2018
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2018? Maha Shivaratri 2018 falls on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
Observance: Maha Shivaratri. City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Maha Shivaratri 2018 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maha Shivaratri | Wed, 14 February 2018 | Four-prahar night puja |
| Amavasya (next day) | Tue, 16 January 2018 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Sat, 25 February 2017 |
| 2018 | Wed, 14 February 2018 |
| 2019 | Mon, 4 March 2019 |
| 2020 | Fri, 21 February 2020 |
| 2021 | Thu, 11 March 2021 |
Hindu festivals around Maha Shivaratri 2018
- Thaipusam 2018 date — Wed, 31 January 2018
- Holika Dahan 2018 date — Thu, 1 March 2018
- Holi 2018 date — Fri, 2 March 2018
- Vasant Panchami 2018 date — Mon, 22 January 2018
- Pongal 2018 date — Sun, 14 January 2018
- Makar Sankranti 2018 date — Sun, 14 January 2018
- Ugadi 2018 date — Sun, 18 March 2018
- Gudi Padwa 2018 date — Sun, 18 March 2018
- Chaitra Navratri 2018 date — Sun, 18 March 2018
- Ram Navami 2018 date — Sun, 25 March 2018
- Hanuman Jayanti 2018 date — Sat, 31 March 2018
- Vishu 2018 date — Sat, 14 April 2018
