Festival muhurat
Maha Shivaratri Puja Times
The Maha Shivaratri date, Nishita Kaal puja, the four prahar puja times, parana and timings for major cities.
Next Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri · in New Delhi
Saturday, 6 March 2027
Nishita puja (midnight)
12:08 am – 12:57 am, 7 Mar
49 min
- First prahar puja
- 6:24 pm – 9:28 pm
- Second prahar puja
- 9:28 pm – 12:32 am, 7 Mar
- Third prahar puja
- 12:32 am – 3:36 am, 7 Mar
- Fourth prahar puja
- 3:36 am – 6:40 am, 7 Mar
- Parana (breaking the fast)
- 6:40 am – 1:47 pm, 7 Mar
- Chaturdashi begins
- 12:04 pm
- Chaturdashi ends
- 1:47 pm, 7 Mar
Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, is Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalguna (Magha in the amanta calendar). Devotees fast, stay awake through the night and offer water, milk, bel leaves and dhatura to the Shiva linga, chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
It falls on the day whose Nishita Kaal (the midnight muhurta) is in Chaturdashi, and Nishita is also the most important time for the puja. Those who worship through the night hold four pujas, one in each prahar (quarter) of the night from sunset to sunrise.
Parana is done the next morning after sunrise, before Chaturdashi ends and within the first three quarters of the day.
Times for Indian cities are Indian Standard Time; times abroad are local time. They match established panchangs to within a minute or two. For a city not listed, the nearest city is usually within a few minutes.
Festival and vrat calendars
Read in the puja
- Shiv Chalisa
The forty-verse prayer to Lord Shiva, read on Mondays, in Shravan and on Maha Shivaratri for peace and protection.
Shiv Aarti
FAQ
Maha Shivaratri FAQs
What are the four prahar pujas?
The night from sunset to sunrise is split into four equal prahars, and Shiva is worshipped in each: by tradition, abhishek with milk in the first, curd in the second, ghee in the third and honey in the fourth.
What should be offered to the Shiva linga?
Water, raw milk, bel leaves, dhatura, bhang, white flowers, sandalwood and fruit. Tulsi and ketaki flowers are not offered to Shiva.
When should I break the Shivaratri fast?
The next day after sunrise and before Chaturdashi ends; the exact parana time is given above.