Maha Shivaratri festival is an annual Hindu festival held in the holy temple of Pashupatinath to honor Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s marriage. A Maha Shivaratri festival tour gives you an overview of ancient Hindu culture and traditions, as well as a tour of the centuries-old Pashupatinath Temple.
Shivaratri is also known as “the great night of Shiva” and falls on the new moon of Magh/Falgun according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is mostly observed in Nepal and India, where people remember Shiva, pray, fast, practice yoga, and meditates on ethics.
Traditionally, Lord Shiva is offered Bael or Vilvam leaves during the Shivaratri festival. Also, it is believed that those who fast on this night and pray to Lord Shiva will receive good luck, prosperity, and peace in their lives.
The festival is not only about Puja and Darshan, but also about a vibrant crowd of devotees including gorgeous Sadhu Babas from different parts of the country, who believe that honoring Lord Shiva on this night will lead to a better life for them.
A colorful and naked sadhu sits meditating and posing for photographs while tourists enjoy the ambiance with curiosity. Some Sadhus cover themselves with ashes while others remain completely naked.
There is a constant flow of devotees praying for prosperity, wellness, and sacredness at Pashupatinath temple. “Om Namah Shivay” and “Mahamritunjaya” are chanted by devotees all night long for the victory of light over darkness.
Over a million people visit the Pashupatinath temple during Shivaratri every year, mostly from the Indian subcontinent. The prodigious night of Lord Shiva is one of the most important sectarian festivals of the year, especially for followers of Hinduism.
Tour Highlight:
- An exploration of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu.
- There is a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere at the Aarti Ceremony.
- Experience centuries-old temples, statues, and Shiva lingams.
- Witness the devotion of Hindu Sadhus to Shiva and witness their lives.
- Enjoy the local ride to the temple premises and observe the faith of the people.
- Get a glimpse of the festival’s ritual ceremonies.
How is Shivaratri festival celebrated?
This auspicious day is celebrated by devotees worldwide in accordance with their customs and traditions. Devotees celebrate Maha Shivaratri festival in a number of ways:
- Fasting is practiced throughout the night and vigils are kept to contemplate spirituality.
- The Hindus worship Lord Shiva by visiting temples and rivers.
- During the festival, devotees meditate, chant mantras, sing songs, and listen to stories about Lord Shiva.
- Shiva Lingam is worshipped using Bel Patra (a type of bel tree leaf), milk, sandalwood paste, white colored flowers, and Dhaturo (an intoxicating plant).
- It is common for devotees to donate food and clothes to the poor after Maha Shivratri pujas.
Significance of Shivratri in Nepal:
The significance of Maha Shivaratri festival differs according to legends and traditional lords.
- This is the night of the convergence of Shiva and Shakti, which represents the importance of masculine and feminine energy in balancing the planet.
- This night is said to be the night Lord Shiva performed his Tandava – a cosmic dance of ‘creation, preservation, and destruction.’
- Those living in families observe Maha Shivaratri festival as a celebration of the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
- Hindu mythology portrays this as the night when Lord Shiva consumed poison in order to save gods and humans. But the poison lodged in Lord Shiva’s throat and eventually turned him blue.
Things You Can Do During Maha Shivaratri festival in Nepal:
- Observe the Shivaratri Vrat:
Fasting during Maha Shivaratri festival will give you a chance to experience the spiritual aspects of the festival. The Shivaratri Vrat (or Shivaratri Fast) is observed by devotees to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings and strengthen their vows. - Meditate on Mahashivratri:
You should try staying awake all night during Maha Shivaratri festival and practicing meditation. The constellations appear to be in an auspicious position on Shivaratri.
It was said in ancient times, “If you cannot meditate every day, do so at least once a year, on Shivratri day, during which you stay awake and meditate.”
- Attend aarati:The Sandhya Aarati ritual is performed on the eastern side of Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. This sacred ritual is conducted every evening by three temple priests.There are hundreds of people gathered around the podium to witness the ceremony which includes chanting mantras, singing hymns, lighting oil lamps, and playing classical music.
Taking a walk around the temple and attending this auspicious ceremony will give you a sense of bliss.
- Witness the Sadhus:
The Pashupatinath temple is filled with thousands of sadhus and babas on the eve of Maha Shivaratri festival. Take a walk around the temple and you’ll likely see sadhus and baba with matted dreadlocks and ash-smeared faces smoking cigarettes mixed with marijuana.
Around the temple, you can also see Naga Babas (The Naked Sadhus), who are by far the most fascinating type of Shaivite sadhus. Naga Babas only care about the necessities of life; hence, they pay homage to Lord Shiva by stripping down to their flesh.
As you participate in Shivaratri rituals, you are infused with the spiritual energy of people. This makes you feel like a god among the gods. Make sure you visit Nepal during Maha Shivaratri festival with the Himalayan Circuit to experience the heavenly feeling that surrounds Pashupatinath.
