Mahashivratri 2026 Vrat: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Pradosh Kaal, Nishita Kaal and How to Break the Fast

Mahashivratri most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva which is celebrated in month of Phalguna (February–March). It is believed that on this day, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. On this auspicious occasion, devotees throng all Shiva temples, large and small, to major Jyotirlingas. This year, the planetary and constellational positions on Mahashivratri are extremely auspicious and fruitful. According to astrology experts, 10 auspicious yogas and 5 Rajyogas are forming for the Mahashivratri festival in 2026, after a gap of 300 years. 

This year, Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi begins at 5:04 pm on February 15th and ends at 5:34 pm on February 16th. As the Pradosh period falls on February 15th, Mahashivratri will be observed on this day. The Mahashivratri fast can be broken on February 16th between 6:59 am and 3:24 pm.

Worship Timings

Abhijit Muhurta: 12:13 PM to 12:58 PM

Sandhya Kaal Muhurta: After 7:28 PM

Nishith Kaal Muhurta: From 12:09 AM to 1:00 AM

Rahukaal on Mahashivratri

Rahukaal will also be observed on Mahashivratri from 4:47 PM to 6:11 PM. Worship or religious rituals should be avoided during this time.

How to observe the fast of Mahashivratri?

On Magh Vadya Trayodashi, one should eat once and stay there, and on the Chaturdashi day in the morning, the fast is resolved. The fast should be completed by bathing and worshipping Shiva. Fasting, worship and vigil are the three main parts of this fast. Shiva is worshipped in different ways in each of the 4 Praharas of the night. It is called Yama Puja. During worship, leaves of betel, mango, etc. are offered to Shiva as they are especially dear to him. After observing a certain number of years of fasting, it can be performed. People believe that even if fasting, waking up, etc. happen unknowingly during this period, the person is saved, and there are many stories that indicate this.

Mahashivratri will feature 5 Rajyogas and 10 auspicious yogas due to favorable planetary alignments. These include Budhaditya, Lakshmi Narayan, and Shukraditya Raja Yogas, formed by the conjunction of Mercury and the Sun, Mercury and Venus, and Sun and Venus, respectively. Saturn in Aquarius will create Shasha Mahapurush Raja Yoga. The presence of Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Rahu in Aquarius will form Chaturgrahi Yoga.

The 10 auspicious yogas present on Mahashivratri are: 

Shiva Yoga: from 5:45 AM onwards 
Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga: 6:43 AM to 9:37 AM
Preeti Yoga:11:19 AM to 11:23 AM 
Ayushmaan Yoga: 12:17 PM to 1:54 PM 
Saubhagya Yoga: 5:07 PM to 5:53 PM
Shobhan Yoga: 7:47 PM to 8:34 PM
Sadhya Yoga: 8:54 PM to 10:02 PM 
Shukla Yoga: 10:42 PM to 11:58 PM
Dhruv Yoga: 02:57 AM to 5:53 AM