Shiv Navratri 2026: Before Mahashivratri, Shiv Navratri is celebrated at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, lasting nine days. Learn what happens on each of these nine days and when Shivratri begins.

Shiv Navratri 2026: Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple is world-famous. Devotees flock here daily due to the religious beliefs associated with the temple. It is the third Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas located across the country. Before Mahashivratri, Shiv Navratri is celebrated with great pomp and show here, lasting for nine days, with Mahashivratri being celebrated on the 10th day.  

In Ujjain, Shiv Navratri is traditionally celebrated as the wedding celebration of Lord Mahakal. During this time, Baba Mahakal is adorned with beautiful groom-like decorations every day. On Mahashivratri, the final day of Shiv Navratri, Lord Mahakal is adorned with a turban, which is considered the most special moment of the festival.

When is Shiv Navratri 2026 (Shiv Navratri 2026 Date)

Shiva Navratri begins on the Panchami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Phalgun (Falgun), February 6th, and continues until Mahashivratri on February 15th, 2026. It should be noted that in India, Shiva Navratri is celebrated only at the Ujjain Mahakal Temple. During these nine days, special pujas, decorations, and religious rituals are performed daily at the temple. Let's find out what will happen on each day of the nine days of Shiva Navratri. See the complete schedule here.

Shiv Navratri 2026 Nine days schedule

• February 6, 2026 – This day marks the beginning of Shiva Navratri, and Mahakala will be adorned with special ornaments. Eleven Brahmins will perform the Rudrabhishek and begin the recitation.
• 7 February 2026- On the second day of Shiv Navratri, Mahakal will be dressed in new clothes and will be specially decorated.
• February 8, 2026- On the third day of Shiv Navratri, Mahakal is adorned on Sheshnag and Ekadashani Rudrapath is performed.
• February 9, 2026 – The fourth day of Shiva Navratri is significant. On this date, Mahakala is adorned with a ghatatop shringar (sacred headgear), a katra (scarf), a dupatta (turban), a crown, a mundmala (head garland), an umbrella, a garland, and a wreath of flowers.
• 10 February 2026- On the fifth day, Mahakal's Chhabina Shringar is done and the Lord wears yellow clothes and a crown, garland of skulls and garland of fruits.
• 11 February 2026- On the sixth day of Shiv Navratri, Holkar decoration of Mahakal takes place.
• February 12, 2026 – On the seventh day of Shiv Navratri, Mahakal is adorned in the form of Uma-Mahesh. On this day, devotees see the forms of both Mahakal Baba and Mother Parvati. Baba is dressed in a maroon-colored garment.
• 13 February 2026- On the eighth day of Shiv Navratri, Baba Mahakal is decorated by wearing red clothes.
• February 14, 2026 – On the ninth day of Shiv Navratri, Mahakal Shiva will appear before the devotees in the form of Tandava.

On Mahashivratri on 15 February 2026, the Lord will be adorned with the Saptdhan mask and the temple will remain open for devotees for 44 hours continuously.

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