Maha Shivaratri 2027: date, Nishita kaal, four prahar puja times and parana
By Kulasekhar Mittapalli · Updated
✓ 191/191 accuracy checks matched · See validation ›
Maha Shivaratri falls on Saturday, March 6, 2027 in India and in most of the US. On the US West Coast it is the night of Friday, March 5. The heart of the night is Nishita kaal: 12:02 AM – 12:51 AM in Hyderabad and 12:13 AM – 1:02 AM in Dallas. Devotees fast through the day, worship Shiva in four prahars through the night, and break the fast the next morning.
1The story of Maha Shivaratri
The Shiva Purana tells how Brahma and Vishnu once argued over who was greater. A pillar of fire appeared between them, without beginning or end. Brahma flew up as a swan and Vishnu dug down as a boar, and neither found its limit. Shiva then revealed himself from the pillar as Lingodbhava, and that night is remembered as Shivaratri; the Lingodbhava kala at midnight is its most sacred moment.
Another well-loved story is of a hunter who, lost in the forest on this night, climbed a bilva tree to stay safe and, awake and hungry, kept dropping its leaves on a Shiva linga below. Without knowing it he had fasted, kept vigil and worshipped Shiva, and he was blessed. In many homes the night is also celebrated as the wedding of Shiva and Parvati.
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम्।
त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम्॥
Tri-dalam tri-guṇākāraṁ tri-netraṁ ca tri-yāyudham, tri-janma-pāpa-saṁhāraṁ eka-bilvaṁ śivārpaṇam.
From the Bilvashtakam: one three-leaved bilva, offered to Shiva, removes the sins of three lifetimes.
2How to keep Maha Shivaratri
- Fast: through the day and night, as your health allows: fruit and milk, or one simple meal without grains.
- Abhishekam: bathe the Shiva linga with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugarcane juice, chanting Om Namah Shivaya or the Rudram.
- Bilva leaves: offer them with the three leaves together, smooth side up.
- Jagarana: stay awake through the night with bhajans, japa or the Shiva Purana, at least through Nishita kaal.
- Parana: break the fast the next morning after sunrise, at the time shown for your city above.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone unwell should keep a light fast. Ask your priest and doctor.
3Checklist: what you need
8 items
- Shiva lingam or picture
- Water, milk, curd, honey, ghee for abhishekam
- Bilva leaves (three-leaf), white flowers, dhatura if available
- Vibhuti, sandalwood
- Ghee lamp for the night
- Rudram / Shiva Panchakshari book or audio for the four prahars
- Fruits and milk for the fast
- Fresh clothes; a plan to stay awake (jagaram)
4A priest, or do it yourself
Simple Maha Shivaratri puja at home · Sumatha Nayak · YouTubeA video by another channel, added after our review. If your family’s custom differs, follow it.
5Puja items near you
Indian groceries and puja stores near the city you picked above.
6Maha Shivaratri 2027 by city
| City | Night · Nishita · parana |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 12:02 AM – 12:51 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, 6:31 AM – 1:47 PM |
| Chennai | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 11:55 PM – 12:44 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, 6:22 AM – 1:47 PM |
| Dallas | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 12:13 AM – 1:02 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, after 6:48 AM |
| New York | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 11:41 PM – 12:31 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, after 6:21 AM |
| Bay Area | Fri, Mar 5 Nishita 11:53 PM – 12:43 AM Parana Sat, Mar 6, 6:32 AM – 6:06 PM |
| London | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 11:45 PM – 12:36 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, 6:34 AM – 8:17 AM |
| Sydney | Sat, Mar 6 Nishita 12:44 AM – 1:29 AM Parana Sun, Mar 7, 6:48 AM – 7:17 PM |
Shivaratri is kept on the night when Krishna Chaturdashi runs through Nishita kaal, the eighth muhurta of the night around local midnight, so the date can differ by city. Open Global Panchang for your own city.
Nishita puja time in your city
Each city page has every day of the festival with local times, and the dates in India.
USA
Canada
UK & Europe
Gulf
Asia-Pacific
India
More about Maha Shivaratri
Four prahar puja times
The night from sunset to the next sunrise is divided into four prahars. Many temples and homes do an abhishekam in each one.
| Hyderabad | Night of Mar 6 |
|---|---|
| First prahar | 6:22 PM – 9:24 PM |
| Second prahar | 9:24 PM – 12:27 AM |
| Third prahar | 12:27 AM – 3:29 AM |
| Fourth prahar | 3:29 AM – 6:31 AM |
| Dallas | Night of Mar 6 |
|---|---|
| First prahar | 6:26 PM – 9:32 PM |
| Second prahar | 9:32 PM – 12:37 AM |
| Third prahar | 12:37 AM – 3:43 AM |
| Fourth prahar | 3:43 AM – 6:48 AM |
Keeping Shivaratri abroad
| Need | Abroad |
|---|---|
| Temple | Most Shiva and Hindu temples in the US hold four-prahar abhishekams through the night; check timings a week ahead |
| Bilva leaves | Ask your temple; some Indian stores sell them frozen. Tulasi is not offered to Shiva; use flowers if you have no bilva |
| Work next day | The night falls on a Saturday in 2027, so families can stay up and break the fast Sunday morning |
మహా శివరాత్రి 2027: తెలుగులో
మహా శివరాత్రి 2027 భారత్లో, అమెరికాలో ఎక్కువ నగరాల్లో మార్చి 6 శనివారం; అమెరికా పశ్చిమ తీరంలో మార్చి 5 శుక్రవారం రాత్రి. నిశీథ కాలం హైదరాబాద్ 12:02 AM – 12:51 AM. పూర్తి వివరాలు తెలుగు పేజీలో.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivaratri in 2027?
Saturday, March 6, 2027 in India and in most of the US, including Dallas and New York. On the US West Coast (Bay Area) it falls on Friday night, March 5, because Chaturdashi is already running at midnight there a day earlier.
What is the Nishita kaal time for Maha Shivaratri 2027?
Hyderabad: 12:02 AM – 12:51 AM on the night of March 6. Dallas: 12:13 AM – 1:02 AM. This midnight window is the most important time for Shiva puja on this night.
When should I break the Shivaratri fast?
The next morning after sunrise. In Hyderabad on Sunday, March 7, between sunrise (6:31 AM) and 1:47 PM, while Chaturdashi lasts. Where Chaturdashi has already ended before sunrise, as in Dallas, break the fast any time after sunrise.
What are the four prahar puja times?
The night from sunset to the next sunrise is divided into four parts, with an abhishekam in each. In Hyderabad: 6:22 PM – 9:24 PM, 9:24 PM – 12:27 AM, 12:27 AM – 3:29 AM, 3:29 AM – 6:31 AM.
Can I keep Shivaratri at home abroad?
Yes. A small Shiva linga or a picture, water or milk for abhishekam, bilva leaves if you can find them (many Indian stores and temples have them), Om Namah Shivaya japa and staying awake at least through the Nishita kaal are all you need.
Open Global Panchang for your exact city → · Add every festival and vrat to your phone's calendar from Alerts; it updates itself.
Calculated for each city's own sunrise and sunset; times are shown to the minute in local time, including daylight saving. Panchangams can differ by a few minutes, and family and temple traditions vary. For general information only; it may contain errors and is not religious, astrological or medical advice. Always confirm important dates and muhurtams with your priest or temple. See the disclaimer and terms.
© 2026 Global Panchang. All rights reserved. Calculations use Astronomy Engine (MIT licence).