Festivals

Maha Shivaratri on March 06th, 2027:

Maha Shivaratri means ‘The Great Night of Lord Shiva’. Lord Shiva and Parvati got married on this day. This is the most famous and celebrated Hindu festival in Nepal. All Shiva shrines become places of visit on this day. But the greatest attraction of all is held by the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus worship the Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva by offering flowers, garlands, Bel Patra (leaves of the Bet fruit), fruits, and coins, while chanting prayers and hymns. Among them are many of the Holy Men (Sadhus) from Nepal and India. Many people like to stay awake all night, keeping vigil over an oil lamp, to please Lord Shiva. Children are seen keeping awake similarly around bonfires in the localities.

A large number of people gathered around Tundikhel to see the Shivaratri and Nepal Army Day on this day.

The highlight of Maha Sivaratri:

• It is believed that Lord Shiva revealed his Lingam form on Maha Shivaratri. The devotees perform the ‘Rudra Abhishekham’ at midnight of Maha Sivaratri to worship the formless Sadashiv.
• Lord Shiva and Parvati married on Maha Shivaratri. Thus, from ‘Nirgun Brahman’, he became ‘Sagun Brahman’ due to the Maya power of Parvati.
• The night of Maha Shivaratri, Lord Shiva is said to reveal Tandava, the dance of primordial conception, preservation, sustenance, and destruction.
• Parvati performed strict penance for Lord Shiva on the day of Maha Shivaratri.