Maha Shivaratri 2026: What is the difference between Shivaratri and Mahashivratri that comes every month? know
Uma Shankar February 05, 2026 05:23 PM

Difference Between Maha Shivaratri And Monthly Shivratri: Lord Shiva has been called the destroyer in Hindu religious scriptures. Lord Shiva is considered the greatest god. Many fasts and festivals have been mentioned for them in the scriptures and Puranas. Pradosh, Vrat Shiv Chaturdashi, Mahashivratri and Shivratri etc. all these fasts and festivals are dedicated to Lord Shiva only. The biggest fast and festival of Lord Shiva is Mahashivratri. Mahashivratri is celebrated on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month.

Apart from this, a Shivratri is also celebrated on the Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha of every month. It is known as Masik Shivratri. On Mahashivratri and monthly Shivratri, Lord Bholenath is fasted and worshiped as per the rituals, but many people consider Mahashivratri and monthly Shivratri to be the same, whereas there is a difference between Mahashivratri and monthly Shivratri. Let us know about it in detail.

Mahashivratri is celebrated only once a year

According to religious texts, the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated only once a year on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. According to beliefs, Mahadev appeared for the first time in the form of Linga on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. In this form he had tested Lord Vishnu and Brahma ji. Since then Mahashivratri is celebrated every year on this date. This year this festival will be celebrated on 15 February.

Recognition of Mahashivratri

It is also believed that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati took place on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. That is why the festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated. However, there is no mention of it anywhere in Shiva Purana. Some scholars also believe that on this day Lord Shiva appeared in the form of 12 Jyotirlingas.

Monthly Shivratri falls 12 times a year

Shivratri festival falls on the Chaturdashi date of Krishna Paksha of every month. It is celebrated every month. This is the reason why it is also called monthly Shivratri. This fast is also known as Shiv Chaturdashi. In this way, the festival of monthly Shivratri is celebrated 12 times in a year and Mahashivratri is celebrated only once. This is the reason why Mahashivratri is more important than Shivratri.

Puja is done only at night

During monthly Shivratri and Mahashivratri, Mahadev is worshiped at night only. Because Mahadev had incarnated in the form of Linga at night. In both these fasts, there is a tradition of worshiping Shiva during all four hours of the night. These fasts are broken the next day.

Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.

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