KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Maha Shivaratri, the sacred festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and observed each year on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, is being celebrated across the country today with traditional worship and rituals.
According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee, the Trayodashi tithi lasts until 16:52 on Sunday, after which Chaturdashi begins and continues until 17:35 on Monday. Since the Chaturdashi tithi falls at midnight on Sunday, the festival is being observed today.
Committee member Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai said scriptural belief holds that Lord Shiva manifested in his divine form at midnight on this day. Worship, prayers, and दर्शन performed when the Chaturdashi tithi coincides with midnight are believed to bring peace and prosperity in this life and salvation in the afterlife.
Followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu faith have been taking ritual baths in rivers, ponds, and lakes since early morning and visiting Shiva temples to offer prayers. The festival, named after the night of Shiva’s manifestation, is described in texts such as the Shiva Purana as one of the four sacred nights, along with Kaalratri, Moharatri, and Sukharatri.
Maha Kumbh expected to draw more devotees on Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is also regarded as a day especially dear to Lord Shiva, believed to inspire spiritual awakening among people facing hardship. Devotees observe fasting, remain pure, and offer items considered dear to Shiva, including milk, dhatura, and bel leaves. Religious belief holds that those who fast and stay awake throughout the night gain spiritual merit and avoid the suffering of Yamalok.
Many households, public squares, and temples light sacred fires, based on the belief that Lord Mahadev feels cold on this day. Devotional singing and distribution of prasad prepared over these fires are common.
At Pashupatinath Temple, four rounds of special worship will be performed through the night, along with Mahadeep, Akhandadeep, Lakshyabatti, Deepotsav, and the offering of one hundred thousand bel leaves. Classical music and dance programs are also being held at Kailashkut and Kirateshwar music ashrams.
Large numbers of pilgrims from across Nepal and neighboring India are expected at Pashupatinath. The Pashupati Area Development Trust said special arrangements have been made this year for devotees’ convenience. The ban on marijuana, bhang, dhatura, and other narcotics at Pashupati, in place for the past three years, continues this year, and police will take action against violators.
Temple doors opened at 2 am today. In previous years, more than one million devotees have visited the Pashupati area on this occasion.
The Trust has arranged three main queues for darshan this year, with additional internal lines inside the temple complex and multiple parking areas at Siphal, Tilganga, Guheshwari, the Trust office, and Bankali.
Heavy crowds are also expected at other Shiva temples in the Kathmandu Valley, including Gokarneshwar and Doleshwar, as well as at Shiva shrines across the country.
