Hindu festival · San Francisco Bay Area
Maha Shivaratri
Dates for the Bay Area
- Sunday, 15 February 2026Major festival
- Friday, 5 March 2027Major festivalnext
- Tuesday, 22 February 2028Major festival
Why it matters
The “Great Night of Shiva” is one of the most important Shaiva observances. The night vigil symbolizes moving from darkness and ignorance toward awareness and inner stillness.
The story behind it
Traditions connect the night with Shiva’s cosmic dance, the appearance of the linga, and in some regions the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
Prayers and worship
Fasting or a simple sattvic diet, repeated Shiva abhishekam through the night, “Om Namah Shivaya,” Rudram, Mahamrityunjaya mantra, bhajans and four-prahar worship are common.
Fasting and devotional customs
Fasting and household customs vary; follow the temple or family tradition for this observance.
What is typically offered
Bilva leaves, water, milk where customary, vibhuti, flowers, fruit and lamps.
Visiting a temple that day
Many temples remain open late or all night. Expect abhishekams, long darshan lines, chanting and a quieter, contemplative atmosphere between major poojas.
Spiritual themes
Meditation, transformation, overcoming ignorance and surrender to the Divine.
Request this pooja
Ask Sri Kumar Gurukkal about a pooja for Maha Shivaratri — at your home, at a temple, or with family joining remotely. A request is an enquiry, not a booking.
Request a pooja Add 5 Mar 2027 to calendarKeep this in your calendar
Subscribe once and every Bay Area festival date appears in your own calendar app.
Subscribe to the festival calendar Share on WhatsAppRelated festivals
Panguni UthiramKarwa ChauthDev DeepavaliKarthigai DeepamArudra DarshanAll Māsik Śivarātri datesAll Pradoṣam datesNight/Nishita-based local date. The 2026–27 dates were compiled from a Northern-California Panchāṅgam reference for the Fremont / Bay Area location. The 2028 date is computed by this site’s own engine from a rule a cited source establishes: Māgha kṛṣṇa caturdaśī (amānta; Phālguna kṛṣṇa caturdaśī in the pūrṇimānta reckoning — the same day), judged at niśīta — the midpoint of the night. No 2028 date has been checked against a printed almanac or reviewed by Sri Kumar Gurukkal. They can differ from a calendar computed for another city or another sampradāya. Please confirm any date on which you plan a ceremony with Sri Kumar Gurukkal. How these dates are calculated →