Maha Shivratri 2025: History, Significance, Fasting Rules And Other Details

In 2025, Mahashivratri will be observed on Wednesday, February 26, and devotees are gearing up to celebrate the Great Night of Lord Shiva. As the positivity and energies of Mahashivratri come close, here are important dates, prahar timings, rituals, and all you need to know.

Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva with the many interpretations of what happened in Lord Shiva’s life that day, is a festival and occurrence that Hindus, and Shiva devotees, look forward to each year. It is one of the most powerful and energetic nights, and just manifesting in the name of Lord Shiva does wonders on this day.
The air is filled with devotion, love, raw energy, and, of course, the chant of ‘Om Namah Shivay’. People pray and meditate all day and night, sitting in deep meditation and prayer and surrendering themselves to the divine.

Mahashivratri 2025 date and time

In 2025, Mahashivratri will be observed on Wednesday, February 26.
According to Drik Panchang, “Maha Shivaratri on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Nishita Kaal Puja Time - 12:09 AM to 12:59 AM, Feb 27
Duration - 00 Hours 50 Mins
On 27th Feb, Shivaratri Parana Time - 06:48 AM to 08:54 AM
Ratri First Prahar Puja Time - 06:19 PM to 09:26 PM on Feb 26
Ratri Second Prahar Puja Time - 09:26 PM on Feb 26 to 12:34 AM, Feb 27
Ratri Third Prahar Puja Time - 12:34 AM to 03:41 AM, Feb 27
Ratri Fourth Prahar Puja Time - 03:41 AM to 06:48 AM, Feb 27
Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 11:08 AM on Feb 26, 2025
Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 08:54 AM on Feb 27, 2025”

The importance and significance of Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is one of the significant days for Shiva devotees all over the world. For some, Mahashivratri is the day when Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati were finally united after centuries of wait, penance, and Sadhana. For some others, it is the night when Lord Shiva performed Tandav, the dance of cosmic creation, preservation, and destruction.
And for some others, it is the day when Lord Shiva descends down to Earth, especially to his city ‘Kashi’, and spreads joy among not just Gods, but also humans and Sadhaks.
Some people also believe that observing Mahashivratri with devotion eliminates past sins and leads to moksha. It is said that staying awake on this night brings spiritual growth, fasting on this day detoxifies the body and mind, and it is a deeply personal and purifying experience.

Mahashivratri rituals and puja vidhi

On the day of Mahashivratri, devotees follow a strict set of rituals to ask for and be worthy of Lord Shiva’s blessings. And while most of these rituals can be performed at home, some people prefer doing them in the famous temples of Lord Shiva, or the temples near their home.
Devotees wake up early before sunrise take a bath with gangajal and water, and then wear clean clothes before moving on to cleaning the home temple. People wear either white or saffron-colored clothes on this day, especially when doing the Puja.
Many also visit Shiva temples and offer water, milk, and bilva leaves to the Shivling. And also take part in the Rudrabhishek ritual, where Lord Shiva is worshipped with Panchamrit, which is a mix of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.
There are also group chant sessions where people sit together and chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ or do it in a personal space. There are also group chantings of the Mahamrityunjay mantra or other mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Many devotees also observe a full day of fasting, usually Nirjala Vrat, and do so with great devotion and love for Lord Shiva. They only break this fast after the fourth Prahar, in the early morning hours.

Before that, they stay awake the whole night and chant mantras, sing bhajans, and meditate. It is said that staying awake and immersed in devotion to Shiva on this night helps people receive his divine energy and blessings.

Fasting rules for Mahashivratri

The fasting on Shivratri starts at sunrise and continues until the next morning after the 4th prahar is over. Devotees do not eat any food that is Tamsic in nature, and avoid any onion, garlic, alcohol, non-vegetarian meats, and the like. In 2025, Shiva devotees who will keep a fast on the Mahashivratri day will start their fasting window during the Brahma Muhurat of February 26, and break it after the Brahma Muhurat of February 27. As devotees engage in meditation and 'Jagran' on the night of Mahashivratri, they are expected to have a calm body and mind, without their body having the pressure to process and digest any foods.
A fasting devotee is also expected to stay calm and composed all day, avoid anger, and spend the day in spiritual activities.

Shivling Abhishekam on Mahashivratri

Performing abhishek is one of the most important parts of Mahashivratri, and different offerings that are given to Lord Shiva have different meanings and importance.
For example, the milk offered to the Shivling is believed to bring blessings for a peaceful life. The honey is said to attract prosperity and sweetness in life and relationships. The curd when offered to Lord Shiva provides a cooling effect and gives good health, and the Bilva leaves, or Bel Patra, are believed to be Lord Shiva’s favorite.
Some people also offer sugarcane juice, Ganga Jal, and Chandan to Lord Shiva.

Best temples to visit on Mahashivratri

Although all ‘bhakti’ and seva start at home, some people just naturally like to visit temples on the day and night of Mahashivratri. There they do a Rudraabhishek, chant with others, and meditate within.
Most people wish to visit temples like Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Banaras Hindu University, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, and the like.
There is also the Somnath temple in Gujarat where devotees believe that the powers of Lord Shiva bring blessings into their lives, while the Aarti in Kashi Vishwanath temple fills people with peace, calm, and almost overwhelming love for Shiva.
People are also fond of the Bhasma aarti that is conducted in Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, and Lord Shiva is covered with sacred ash.