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MAHA SHIVRATRI

When is Maha Shivratri in 2025?

Maha Shivratri in 2025 is on the Wednesday, 26th of Feb (2/26/2025).

Maha Shivratri is on the 57th day of 2025. There are 308 days left in the year.

Maha Shivratri Facts

  • Date: Feb 26, 2025
  • Religious
  • Also Called: Shivratri, Happy Shivaratri
  • Celebrations: Worshiping Lord Shiva, fasting
Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri, which literally translates to "great night of Shiva" is a Hindu festival largely celebrated in India as well as in Nepal. The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha according to the Hindu calendar. The day is celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hindu culture.

There are many mythological legends associated with this day. According to a popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, he waited on the branch of a Woodapple tree. In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree on the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam beneath the tree. Pleased with the Woodapple leaves and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat.

Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with an imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world on the pretext that the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion. From that day onwards, the night came to be known as Maha Shivratri and people began worshipping Shiva with a great enthusiasm.

Some folklore also consider this to be Shiva's day as this was believed to be the answer given by Lord Shiva when asked about his favorite day by Goddess Parvati.

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by people following Hinduism in India. People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam. Woodapple leaves, cold water and milk are offered to the Shiva Lingam on this day as they are believed to be Lord Shiva's favorite.

It is believed that the people who fast on this night and offer prayers to Lord Shiva bring good luck into their life. The most popular Maha Shivratri celebrations take place in Ujjain, believed to be the place of residence of Lord Shiva. Large processions are carried out throughout the city, with people thronging the streets to catch a glimpse of the revered idol of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Wed
  • Mar 05, 2008
  • Maha Shivaratri
  • Mon
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • Maha Shivaratri
  • Fri
  • Feb 12, 2010
  • Maha Shivaratri
  • Thu
  • Mar 03, 2011
  • Maha Shivaratri
  • Mon
  • Feb 20, 2012
  • Maha Shivaratri

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of India in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 15, 2024Jan 15Makar Sankranti / Pongal
FridayFriJan 26, 2024Jan 26Republic Day
FridayFriMar 08, 2024Mar 08Maha Shivaratri
SaturdaySatMar 09, 2024Mar 09Ugadi / Gudi Padwa
MondayMonMar 25, 2024Mar 25Holi
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11Eid-ul-Fitar
WednesdayWedApr 17, 2024Apr 17Ram Navami
SundaySunApr 21, 2024Apr 21Mahavir Jayanti
WednesdayWedMay 01, 2024May 01Labour Day
ThursdayThuMay 23, 2024May 23Budhha Purnima
MondayMonJun 17, 2024Jun 17Bakri Id / Eid ul-Adha
SundaySunJul 07, 2024Jul 07Rath Yatra
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17Muharram
ThursdayThuAug 15, 2024Aug 15Independence Day
MondayMonAug 19, 2024Aug 19Raksha Bandhan
MondayMonAug 26, 2024Aug 26Janmashtami
SaturdaySatSep 07, 2024Sep 07Vinayaka Chaturthi
SaturdaySatSep 14, 2024Sep 14Onam
MondayMonSep 16, 2024Sep 16Milad un Nabi
WednesdayWedOct 02, 2024Oct 02Mathatma Gandhi Jayanti
SaturdaySatOct 12, 2024Oct 12Dussehra / Dasara
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Diwali / Deepavali
FridayFriNov 15, 2024Nov 15Guru Nanak's Birthday
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day