Maha Shivaratri
Great Night of Shiva
The most prominent Shiva festival is marked by night-long worship, fasting, meditation, abhishekam, and chanting of Om Namah Shivaya.
Ritual calendar
Festivals and Observances
Shiva worship is woven through night vigils, river offerings, Monday fasts, temple processions, and quiet household devotion.
Major Observances
Dates shift with the lunar calendar, so this page explains the meaning and rhythm of each observance rather than listing one year's dates.
Shravan Mondays
Season of devotion
During the month of Shravan or Sawan, many devotees observe Monday fasts, visit Shiva temples, and offer water or milk to the lingam.
Pradosha Vrat
Twilight worship
Observed during the twilight period on the thirteenth lunar day, Pradosha is associated with purification, prayer, and remembrance of Shiva.
Kartik Worship
Lamps and austerity
The sacred month of Kartik includes many forms of temple worship, lamp offerings, and disciplined devotional practice.
Kanwar Yatra
River offering
Devotees known as kanwariyas carry sacred water, often from the Ganga, and offer it to Shiva in temples during the Sawan period.
Common Offerings
Offerings may include water, bilva leaves, flowers, sandal paste, light, incense, and mantra. In devotional practice, the inner attitude is considered more important than display.
Festival Planning
If you plan to attend a temple on a major festival, check local timings, crowd guidance, and specific temple customs before going.
Prepare with mantras