Festival Guide 2027
Mahashivratri 2027: Date, Puja Vidhi & Sanskrit Meaning
Complete guide to Mahashivratri 2027 — the date, four-prahar puja schedule, fasting rules, and the Sanskrit meanings of Shiva's names and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
📅 Mahashivratri 2027 — Key Timings
| Festival Date | February 17, 2027 (Wednesday) |
| Chaturdashi Tithi Begins | February 16, 2027 at 7:43 PM |
| Chaturdashi Tithi Ends | February 17, 2027 at 6:53 PM |
| Nishitha Kaal (Midnight Puja) | February 17–18 at 12:09 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Parana (Fast-break) | February 18 after 6:32 AM |
What Does Mahashivratri Mean in Sanskrit?
महाशिवरात्रि (Mahāśivarātri) breaks down into three Sanskrit words: महा (mahā — great), शिव (śiva — auspicious, from the root śiv meaning auspiciousness or welfare), and रात्रि (rātri — night). Together: “the great night of Shiva.” It falls on the Chaturdashi (14th day) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Phalguna (February–March).
According to the Shiva Purana, this is the night when Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation and destruction — the Tāṇḍava (ताण्डव). It is also described as the night of Shiva and Parvati's celestial marriage (Shiva Vivāha). Devotees stay awake all night, performing puja in four prahars, believing that vigil and worship on this night is equivalent to a thousand ordinary nights of devotion.
Sanskrit Names of Shiva
| Devanagari | Transliteration | Sanskrit Root | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| शिव | Śiva | śiv — auspiciousness | The auspicious one |
| महादेव | Mahādeva | mahā + deva | The great god |
| शम्भु | Śambhu | śam + bhu — welfare + to be | Source of welfare and bliss |
| नीलकण्ठ | Nīlakaṇṭha | nīla + kaṇṭha | Blue-throated (who swallowed the poison) |
| त्र्यम्बक | Tryambaka | tri + ambaka | Three-eyed one |
| पशुपति | Paśupati | paśu + pati | Lord of all souls/creatures |
Four Prahar Puja Vidhi
The night of Mahashivratri is divided into four प्रहर (prahar — a 3-hour watch). Each prahar has a specific ritual and material for abhisheka (ritual bathing of the Shiva Lingam):
First Prahar (6 PM – 9 PM)
Abhisheka: Milk (दुग्ध — dugdha)
Benefit: Purity, wisdom · Mantra: ॐ नमः शिवाय
Second Prahar (9 PM – 12 AM)
Abhisheka: Curd (दधि — dadhi)
Benefit: Longevity, prosperity · Mantra: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे…
Third Prahar (12 AM – 3 AM)
Abhisheka: Ghee (घृत — ghṛta)
Benefit: Liberation from sins · Mantra: ॐ नमः शिवाय
Fourth Prahar (3 AM – 6 AM)
Abhisheka: Honey (मधु — madhu)
Benefit: Speech, eloquence · Mantra: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे…
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra — Word by Word
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्
त्र्यम्बकम् (Tryambakam) — three-eyed (tri + ambaka = eye)
यजामहे (Yajāmahe) — we worship, we adore
सुगन्धिम् (Sugandhim) — the fragrant one (su + gandha = good + fragrance)
पुष्टिवर्धनम् (Puṣṭivardhanam) — nourisher of strength (puṣṭi = nourishment, vardhanam = increaser)
उर्वारुकमिव (Urvārukamiva) — like a cucumber (urvāruka = cucumber)
बन्धनात् (Bandhānāt) — from bondage (bandha = bond, fetter)
मृत्योः (Mṛtyoḥ) — from death (mṛtyu = death, from mṛ = to die)
मुक्षीय (Mukṣīya) — may I be liberated (from muc = to release)
माऽमृतात् (Mā'mṛtāt) — not from immortality (a + mṛta = not + dead = immortal)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Mahashivratri 2027?
Mahashivratri 2027 falls on February 17, 2027. The Chaturdashi tithi (14th day of the dark fortnight) of Phalguna month begins on the evening of February 16 and extends through February 17. The four-prahar puja is performed throughout the night of February 17–18.
What does Mahashivratri mean in Sanskrit?
Mahāśivarātri (महाशिवरात्रि) means "the great night of Shiva." Mahā (महा) = great, Śiva (शिव) = the auspicious one (from the root śiv = auspiciousness), and rātri (रात्रि) = night. It is the greatest of all twelve Shivaratris that occur each year on the Chaturdashi of every Krishna Paksha.
What are the four prahars of Shivratri puja?
The night is divided into four prahar (3-hour watches). First prahar (6 PM–9 PM): abhisheka with milk; second prahar (9 PM–12 AM): abhisheka with curd; third prahar (12 AM–3 AM): abhisheka with ghee; fourth prahar (3 AM–6 AM): abhisheka with honey. Each prahar has its own mantra and offering.
What is the meaning of Om Namah Shivaya?
ॐ नमः शिवाय (Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya) — Om is the primordial sound; Namaḥ means "I bow" or "salutation" (from Sanskrit nam = to bow); Śivāya is the dative form of Śiva, meaning "to Shiva" or "for Shiva." The full meaning is "I bow to the auspicious one" or "salutations to Shiva." The five syllables Na-Ma-Śi-Vā-Ya represent the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space.
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