Maha Shivaratri is the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of Phagun. Punjab's Hindu households keep it with a fast and a visit to the Shivala, the Shiva temple that stands in every old town, carrying water, milk and bel leaves for the linga. Processions of Shiva's wedding party pass through Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala, and many go up to the hill shrines of neighbouring Himachal.
The story
The day is told as the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. The Shiv Barat, with Shiva on his bull and a retinue of ghosts, is taken out on the eve or the day itself.
Near Pathankot, on the Ravi, the rock-cut caves of Mukteshwar are held to have sheltered the Pandavas in exile, and hold one of the oldest Shiva shrines of the region.
How it is kept
- VratA fast on fruit and milk.
- JalabhishekWater and milk are poured on the linga, with bel leaves and ber fruit.
- Shiv BaratThe wedding procession through the bazaar.
- JagranA night of bhajans in the temple.
Why this date
Maha Shivaratri is the Chaturdashi of the dark fortnight of Phagun, on the day that tithi covers midnight.
Maha Shivaratri in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | |
| 2026 | Sunday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Wednesday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Saturday |
More Punjabi festivals
14 JanuaryMaghiਮਾਘੀ
4 MarchHoli and Hola Mohallaਹੋਲੀ · ਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ
19 MarchChet Navratriਚੇਤ ਦੇ ਨਰਾਤੇ
13 JanuaryLohriਲੋਹੜੀ
26 MarchRam Naumiਰਾਮ ਨੌਮੀ
2 AprilHanuman Jayantiਹਨੂੰਮਾਨ ਜਯੰਤੀ
Where to see Maha Shivaratri
In Punjab
- Mukteshwar Mahadev, PathankotPunjabCave temples above the Ravi, with a fair on this day.
- Shivala Bagh Bhaiyan, AmritsarPunjabThe old Shiva temple of the city.
- Kali Devi Temple, PatialaPunjabThe royal temple complex of the Patiala state.
Across India
- BaijnathHimachal PradeshA thirteenth-century Shiva temple in the Kangra valley, with a five-day fair.
- MandiHimachal PradeshThe week-long Shivaratri fair of the hill gods.
- VaranasiUttar PradeshKashi Vishwanath and the wedding procession of Shiva.