Mahashivratri, a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be celebrated on February 15, 2026. This occasion falls on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun. Devotees typically perform water abhishekam on Shiva Lingam to please Lord Shiva. This year, however, the celebration will be marked by the presence of Bhadra and Rahu kal, which are considered inauspicious times for religious activities. During these periods, it is believed that worship and rituals should not be carried out, causing concern among the devotees.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Bhadra time on Mahashivratri will last from 5:04 PM on February 15 until 5:23 AM on February 16, spanning approximately 12 hours and 19 minutes. Although Bhadra will be in Paatal Lok (underworld) and hence have no direct influence on earth, the scriptures state that religious activities are typically restricted during its presence. Consequently, the timings of worship and the rituals surrounding Mahashivratri may be affected, leading many to seek guidance on when to perform their ceremonies appropriately.

Additionally, Rahu kal will occur from 4:47 PM to 6:11 PM on the same day, aligning closely with Bhadra's timings. This further complicates the scheduling of rituals for devotees. Those who wish to observe Mahashivratri will need to pay close attention to these timings to ensure their prayers and offerings to Lord Shiva are performed at auspicious moments, hence preserving the spiritual significance of the day despite the overshadowing inauspicious periods.