Maha Shivratri 2027
Maha Shivratri is the great night of Shiva, kept on the Krishna Chaturdashi of Phalguna (Magha in amanta calendars). Devotees fast, stay awake through the night and do abhishekam of the Shivalinga. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, March 6, 2027 in India and on the US East Coast.
Date for India
Saturday, March 6, 2027
Nishita Kaal puja 12:07 AM–12:57 AM (Mar 7) (New Delhi)
Dates around the world · 2027
| Region | Date | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| IndiaNew Delhi | Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:07 AM–12:57 AM (Mar 7) (New Delhi) |
| USA EastEdison, New Jersey | Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Nishita Kaal puja 11:44 PM–12:33 AM (Mar 7) (Edison NJ) |
| USA WestSan Jose, California | We have not verified the date for this region yet. Please check with your local temple. | |
| United KingdomLondon | Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Nishita Kaal puja 11:46 PM–12:37 AM (Mar 7) (London) |
| CanadaToronto | Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:03 AM–12:53 AM (Mar 7) (Toronto) |
| AustraliaSydney | Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:44 AM–1:29 AM (Mar 7) (Sydney) |
Date source: drikpanchang.com (New Delhi, Edison, New Jersey, London, Toronto, Sydney). Dates are taken from the cited published panchang for each region and year; regions we could not verify are left out.
About
Tradition remembers this night as the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and as the night Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light. Devotees fast through the day. At night they offer water, milk, honey and bilva leaves to the Shivalinga in each of the four prahars and chant "Om Namah Shivaya". The most sacred time is Nishita Kaal, around midnight. The fast is broken the next morning.
In 2027 the night is Saturday, March 6 in India, New Jersey, London, Toronto and Sydney. For California, panchangs differ between Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6, so follow the date your local temple gives.
How to observe
Tick the steps as you go. The ticks are saved on this device only.
Customs differ by family and region. Follow your family tradition and temple where they differ from these steps.
What you will need
Texts to recite
Questions
When is Maha Shivratri 2027 in India?
Saturday, March 6, 2027. The main puja in Nishita Kaal is late that night, 12:07 AM to 12:57 AM on March 7 (New Delhi). The fast is broken on the morning of March 7.
What is the Maha Shivratri 2027 date in the USA?
On the East Coast (New Jersey) it is Saturday, March 6, 2027, with Nishita Kaal from 11:44 PM to 12:33 AM. For California, panchangs disagree: some give Friday, March 5 and some Saturday, March 6. Follow your local temple.
Maha Shivratri 2027 date in the UK, Canada and Australia?
Saturday, March 6, 2027 in all three. Nishita Kaal is 11:46 PM to 12:37 AM in London. In Toronto it is 12:03 AM to 12:53 AM and in Sydney 12:44 AM to 1:29 AM, both already March 7 by the clock.
Why do calendars disagree on the California date?
Maha Shivratri is kept on the night when Chaturdashi is running at local midnight (Nishita Kaal). On Pacific time in 2027, Chaturdashi runs from 10:34 PM on March 5 to 12:18 AM on March 7, so it touches midnight on both nights. Panchangs resolve this differently. Your temple's date is the one to follow.
What is the difference between Maha Shivratri and masik Shivratri?
Every month's Krishna Chaturdashi is a masik (monthly) Shivratri. The one in Phalguna (Magha in amanta calendars) is the most important, so it is called Maha Shivratri.
What can I eat during the fast?
Go by your family's custom. Many people take only fruit and milk, some have one sabudana or kuttu meal, and some keep a nirjala fast without water. If you are unwell, pregnant or elderly, keep a lighter fast.
Other years
Maha Shivratri 2026
| India | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:09 AM–1:01 AM (Feb 16) (New Delhi) |
|---|---|---|
| USA East | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 11:45 PM–12:38 AM (Feb 16) (Edison NJ) |
| USA West | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 11:55 PM–12:48 AM (Feb 16) (San Jose CA) |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 11:46 PM–12:42 AM (Feb 16) (London) |
| Canada | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:04 AM–12:58 AM (Feb 16) (Toronto) |
| Australia | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | Nishita Kaal puja 12:48 AM–1:31 AM (Feb 16) (Sydney) |
Date source: drikpanchang.com