Maha Shivratri 2027
A night kept awake for Shiva in his own city.
Countdown to Shivratri 2027
Dates
When is Maha Shivratri?
Maha Shivratri 2027 falls on Saturday, 6 March 2027.
Observed on Saturday 6 Mar; the midnight Nishita puja falls in the early hours of 7 Mar.
Date checked against drikpanchang.com
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 February 2026Sun | 1 day | Past |
| 2027 | 6 March 2027Sat | 1 day | Confirmed |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Spirit & Ancestry
- Tradition
- Hindu
- Where
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Crowd
- Celebrated across India; very large crowds in Varanasi
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
In Varanasi the queue for Kashi Vishwanath starts before dawn and does not really end. Through the night the lanes carry the sound of bells and the chant 'Har Har Mahadev'.
Maha Shivratri falls on the fourteenth night of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna (Magha in the southern calendar), the darkest night before the new moon. Devotees fast during the day and stay awake through the night, worshipping Shiva in four watches, each with its own offerings.
Varanasi, which Hindus consider Shiva's own city, is one of the great centres of the festival. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganga, carry water to pour over the lingam at Kashi Vishwanath and other temples, and join the Shiv Barat, a lively procession that recreates the god's wedding party.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Shivratri
Traditions
What actually happens
- Abhishek — pouring water, milk, honey and curd over the Shiva lingam.
- Bel leaves — offerings of the three-lobed leaf of the bael tree, sacred to Shiva.
- Jagaran — staying awake through the night with prayer and chanting.
- Shiv Barat — a procession re-enacting Shiva's wedding to Parvati.
Food
The table, widened
- Fasting foods such as sabudana khichdi, fruit and kuttu (buckwheat) puris.
- Thandai — a cooling milk drink with almonds, fennel and spices, traditional in Varanasi.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Bhajans and the chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya' continue through the night. Varanasi's temples ring with bells, conches and damaru drums, and classical musicians often perform at temple concerts around the festival.
Religion
Why this date
Many stories explain the night: it is said to be when Shiva married Parvati, when he performed the cosmic dance, or when he appeared as an endless pillar of light. Above all it is a night of self-discipline and inward focus, when devotees seek Shiva's grace by fasting and staying awake.
History
How it survived
Shivratri is described in several Puranas, including the Shiva and Skanda Puranas. The present Kashi Vishwanath temple was built in 1780 under Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor linking it to the Ganga opened in 2021.
History
How it got here
Shivratri is described in several Puranas, including the Shiva and Skanda Puranas. The present Kashi Vishwanath temple was built in 1780 under Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor linking it to the Ganga opened in 2021.
Puranic era
Shiva Purana
The festival and its night vigil are described in Puranic literature.
1780
Ahilyabai Holkar
The present Kashi Vishwanath temple is built under the Maratha queen's patronage.
2021
Temple corridor
A new corridor connects Kashi Vishwanath directly to the Ganga ghats.
Today
Night of vigil
Shiva temples across India and abroad stay open through the night.
Travel & practical
Visiting Varanasi for Shivratri
Getting there
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is about an hour from the old city; Varanasi is well connected by rail.
When to arrive
Arrive a day early. Queues at Kashi Vishwanath can stretch for hours on the day itself.
Practical notes
Phones, bags and leather items are restricted inside the temple; use official lockers. February and March evenings are cool.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Maha Shivratri: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Maha Shivratri.
When is Maha Shivratri in 2026 and 2027?
Maha Shivratri fell on Sunday 15 February 2026 and falls on Saturday 6 March 2027, with the midnight puja in the early hours of 7 March.
Why do people stay awake all night?
The night is devoted to Shiva, and keeping vigil through its four watches is seen as an act of devotion and self-discipline.
Is Maha Shivratri the same as the monthly Shivratri?
Every month has a Shivratri, but the one in Phalguna is the 'great' Shivratri and the most widely observed.
Can non-Hindus visit Kashi Vishwanath?
Visitors of other faiths are generally permitted, but rules can change; check with the temple trust before going.
Also in March 2027
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