Coimbatore/Bengaluru/Bhubaneswar – Maha Shivaratri, one of Hinduism’s grandest festivals, falls on February 15, 2026, drawing millions worldwide to honor Lord Shiva—the Adi Yogi, destroyer of ignorance, and cosmic dancer, during the 14th night/15th day of Phalguna’s dark half. This “Great Night of Shiva” symbolizes Shiva’s triumph over poison (Halahala from Samudra Manthan, earning him Neelkanth), his Tandava Nritya, or marriage to Parvati, with natural planetary alignments amplifying spiritual energy for kundalini awakening and inner transformation.

As Sadhguru notes, staying awake vertically harnesses nature’s forces for profound physical and spiritual well-being, making it a pivotal night for meditation amid modern stresses.

Why and When it is Celebrated?

Rooted in myths like Shiva consuming cosmic poison to save creation or manifesting as infinite light (Jyotirlinga), the festival occurs on the year’s darkest, moonless night, ideal for overcoming tamas (inertia). Devotees fast from dawn on February 15 (parana post-sunrise February 16), seeking ego dissolution, health, and moksha. Yogic texts highlight their role in aligning chakras naturally.

Core Rituals: How and What

All-night jaagran (vigil) from ~6 PM to dawn unfolds with layered practices:

• Abhishekam & Rudrabhishekam: Bathe Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, curd, ghee, gangajal, sugarcane juice, and bilva patra (sacred leaves mimicking Shiva’s trishul for triple potency).

• Puja Steps: Mangal aarti, Panchamrit snan, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya,” Shiva Chalisa, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra; midnight Nishita Kaal peak.

• Fasting & Offerings: Sattvic fruits, thandai (non-bhaang), bhang for some; regional flair like Maharashtra dhuni fires, Gujarat garba, or Tamil Nadu theerthavari. 
  Fun fact: Bilva’s trifoliate shape triples puja merits; many do 108 bilva circumambulations.

Jyotirlingas and Iconic Temples

The 12 Jyotirlingas, self-manifested fiery lingams, pulse with fervor, expecting crores:

Other gems: Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneswar) chariot pulls; Pashupatinath (Nepal) massive mela.

Spiritual Centers’ Grand Events

Isha Foundation (Coimbatore Yoga Center): Sadhguru’s spectacular all-night celebration (Feb 15, 6 PM IST–Feb 16, 6 AM) amid Velliangiri hills draws lakhs for mysticism and music. Highlights:

• 6 PM: Pancha Bhuta Kriya meditation.
• Evening: Bhairavi Maha Yatra, Adiyogi Divya Darshanam (yoga origins video).
• 10:50 PM: Sadhguru Satsang.
• Midnight: Mahamantra Initiation (open guided session).
• 3:40 AM: Brahma Muhurtham meditation.
• 5:45 AM: Finale with performances.
  Traditional arts by Isha Samskriti students, eminent musicians. Mandatory online registration (sells out fast); no accommodation—arrange nearby. Live webcast global.news18+1

The Art of Living (Bengaluru & worldwide): Sri Sri Ravi Shankar hosts Rudra Puja, Sudarshan Kriya, bhajans, yoga workshops, and midnight meditations, accessible via live streams.

Participation and Beyond

Virtual streams from Isha, Art of Living, ensure worldwide darshan. Shiva, as yogic source and grace icon, offers renewal; pair with home puja kits for authenticity. This Shivaratri, embrace the Adi Guru’s energy for holistic upliftment.

Registration is mandatory and available online in advance, with tickets selling out quickly in past years. Importantly, accommodation is not provided; attendees must arrange their own stays nearby. The event draws lakhs of devotees annually, fostering an electric atmosphere of devotion amid the lush hills of the Isha Yoga Center.

Beyond Isha, other prominent organizations are also ramping up for Maha Shivaratri 2026. The Art of Living, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will host vibrant celebrations featuring Sudarshan Kriya meditation sessions, bhajans, and yoga workshops at centers worldwide, including Bengaluru and online streams for global participation. 

Temples like the iconic Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, and Trimbakeshwar in Nashik anticipate massive pilgrim influxes, with special poojas, rudrabhishekam rituals, and all-night vigils.