MAHA SHIVARATRI 2026
«Atma Vichara
and the love of Shiva: Consciousness and Energy»
«Atma Vichara
and the love of Shiva: Consciousness and Energy»
Shiva Prem Sagar Ashram, Italy
14 – 22 February 2026
14 – 22 February 2026
MAHA
SHIVARATRI
2026
SHIVARATRI
2026
«Atma Vichara and the Love of Shiva: Consciousness and Energy»
14 – 22 February 2026
Shiva Prem Sagar Ashram, Italy
Shiva Prem Sagar Ashram, Italy
| Maha Shivaratri — «The Great Night of Shiva» — is a festival dedicated to the Lord Shiva, celebrated between February and March. While «Shivaratri» occurs several times a year, this one is considered the most important, which is why it carries the prefix «Maha» —meaning great or principal. Devotees of Shiva read katha — stories about Shiva — and sing hymns in his honour. After the 24-hour festival, a fair begins along the banks of rivers and water bodies. According to the Puranas, those who stay awake during Shivaratri are promised material prosperity and a place in heaven. It is believed that any meditation practiced on this night is 100 times more powerful than usual, due to the positions of the Sun and the Moon at that time. |
Schedule of Events
- 14 February
Arrival day.Arrival at the Ashram. - 15 – 16 February
Celebration of the night of Mahashivaratri.- Satsang with Master Swami Vishnudevananda Giri Maharaj;
- Meditations, kirtans, pujas, and abhishekas;
- Night practice immersed in mantra; Meditation and tapasya (austerities) of choice.
- 16 February
Ashta-avarana-diksha.Initiation into the eight shields of Shiva.
Additionally, disciples will receive spiritual names that transform destiny and remove deep obstacles on the path. - 17 – 21 February
Seminar: «Atma-vichara and the Four Brahma viharas».Five days of focused contemplation.- Practice of self-inquiry (Atma-vichara) — direct methods of Jnana-yoga;
- Meditation on the four states: love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity;
- Lectures, satsangs, morning and evening practices with sannyasins.
- 22 February
Departure from the Ashram.Individual retreats at the Ashram may be arranged upon request after the program ends.
You can look forward to:
Daily satsangs, darshans with Guru Ji, practices with the sannyasins.
Linga Puja, abhisheka of Shiva Murti, mantras, bhajans, arati, yoga, meditations.
Linga Puja, abhisheka of Shiva Murti, mantras, bhajans, arati, yoga, meditations.
The Legend of the Festival's Origin
There are various legends associated with Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular stories, the Shivaratri festival marks the day of the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Another version says that on this day Shiva performed the Tandava, the dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Yet another legend holds that on such a night Shiva appeared before Brahma and Vishnu in the form of a timeless and infinite lingam.
Maha Shivaratri holds special significance for women and sadhus. Indian women come on this day to pray to Parvati —since Shiva, her husband, is considered the ideal spouse — for a successful marriage, beautiful children, and family well-being and prosperity in the new year.
During Maha Shivaratri, it is considered highly auspicious to continuously worship Lord Shiva and meditate on His image throughout the night. It is said to be a very favourable time to free the mind from worldly thoughts.
Repeat: «Om Namah Shivaya» — «Salutations to the Auspicious One!» — fully immersing yourself in awareness and spiritual experience.
Maha Shivaratri is a mystical Night that opens the door to the Unknown...
Om Namah Shivaya!
There are various legends associated with Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular stories, the Shivaratri festival marks the day of the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Another version says that on this day Shiva performed the Tandava, the dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Yet another legend holds that on such a night Shiva appeared before Brahma and Vishnu in the form of a timeless and infinite lingam.
Maha Shivaratri holds special significance for women and sadhus. Indian women come on this day to pray to Parvati —since Shiva, her husband, is considered the ideal spouse — for a successful marriage, beautiful children, and family well-being and prosperity in the new year.
During Maha Shivaratri, it is considered highly auspicious to continuously worship Lord Shiva and meditate on His image throughout the night. It is said to be a very favourable time to free the mind from worldly thoughts.
Repeat: «Om Namah Shivaya» — «Salutations to the Auspicious One!» — fully immersing yourself in awareness and spiritual experience.
Maha Shivaratri is a mystical Night that opens the door to the Unknown...
Om Namah Shivaya!
