Maha Shivaratri 2026 Shubh Muhurat

In 2026, Maha Shivaratri falls on 15 February 2026 (Sunday). The puja muhurat runs from 12:09 AM to 1:00 AM. This date is computed from the actual angle between the Moon and the Sun for New Delhi, not copied from a list.

Why two dates are circulating for Maha Shivaratri

Neither date is wrong - they come from two different rules. A plain almanac asks which tithi is running at sunrise, and that rule gives 16 February 2026 (Monday). But this festival's rite belongs to Nishita (deep midnight), and Krishna Chaturdashi covers that window on 15 February 2026 (Sunday). So the observance is 15 February 2026 (Sunday). Nishita (deep midnight) is the eighth of the night's fifteen muhurtas - true midnight by the Sun, not by the clock.

The puja muhurat

12:09 AM to 1:00 AM on 15 February 2026 (Sunday). This is the Nishita (deep midnight) window, the eighth of the night's fifteen muhurtas - true midnight by the Sun, not by the clock. Times are derived from New Delhi's sunrise and sunset - check the panchang for your own city.

Check it yourself

Krishna Chaturdashi begins at 15 Feb 2026, 5:06 PM and ends at 16 Feb 2026, 5:35 PM, all times IST. Those two instants are what you can check against your own panchang - the date follows from them.

Why the date moves each year

A Hindu festival is fixed to a tithi in a lunar month, not to a calendar date. The lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar one, so festivals drift earlier until an extra month - adhika masa - is inserted roughly every third year and they jump back.

Regional variation

This festival's rule is convention as well as astronomy, and the date can differ by a day between regions and traditions. The tithi start and end instants above are the part to check against your own local panchang.

✦ Computed for New Delhi. Timings shift with your city - check the panchang for the day itself.