When is Maha Shivaratri?
In 2026, Maha Shivaratri falls on Sunday, February 15, 2026. It is classified here as a Nepalese public holiday.
History of Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is one of Nepal’s most important Hindu observances. Devotees fast, keep vigil, offer water, milk and bilva leaves, and visit Shiva temples. Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath temple is a focal point, drawing pilgrims from Nepal and beyond; its public importance makes the holiday visible well outside religious households.
The festival is shaped by devotion, pilgrimage and a distinctive night-time atmosphere rather than by one standardised ritual. Local authorities make arrangements for large crowds, and temple access can be tightly managed. Maha Shivaratri follows a lunisolar date in the Nepali calendar. The date here is a planning estimate only; Nepal’s published annual holiday calendar should be used for leave and travel planning.
Maha Shivaratri must be read through Nepal’s annually gazetted Bikram Sambat calendar rather than through an unchanging Gregorian-date list. Major Hindu public holiday honouring Shiva, with worship centred on temples including Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath complex. The Ministry of Home Affairs notice determines the civil date, territorial reach and eligible group, while essential services can retain separate staffing. That distinction matters especially when a festival follows a lunar calculation or when leave is limited to a region, community or gender.
How Maha Shivaratri is observed
A nationwide public holiday on the annually published Shivaratri date. Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the controlling annual calendar in Bikram Sambat; lunar dates and any special leave categories must be confirmed from that year’s notice. Travellers and employees should confirm the gazetted annual notice because local services and eligible groups can differ.
Traditions of Maha Shivaratri
Temple pilgrimage
Devotees visit Shiva temples, especially Pashupatinath, with offerings, prayer and long queues. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Fasting and vigil
Many observe a fast and remain awake for prayer, chanting and reflection through the night. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Offerings
Water, milk, flowers and bilva leaves are offered in devotion to Shiva. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Nepalese official and legal guidance. Lunar dates and annual government, provincial or employer schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs: Government and Public Holidays in 2083, Pradhan & Associates: English legal summary of Nepal's 2083 holiday notice.
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