The festival of Maha Shivaratri, observed every year on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, is being celebrated across the country today with prayers and worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Trayodashi tithi remains until 4:52 PM today, after which Chaturdashi begins and lasts until 5:35 PM Monday. Since the Chaturdashi tithi falls at midnight on Sunday, the festival is being observed today, according to Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti.
Committee member Devmani Bhattarai said that, as per scriptures, Lord Shiva assumed his divine form at midnight on this day, and worshipping and offering prayers during this time brings peace and prosperity in this life and salvation in the afterlife.
Followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition have been taking ritual baths in rivers, ponds, and lakes since early morning and visiting Shiva temples for worship. The festival, named after the night of Shiva’s manifestation, is described in texts such as the Shiva Purana as one of four sacred nights—Kalaratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri, and Shivaratri.
It is believed that during the month of Magh, nature becomes dry due to Shiva’s Rudra aspect, while in Falgun greenery returns due to his benevolent form, symbolizing renewal. Devotees observe fasting, offer milk, datura, and bel leaves to Shiva, and stay awake all night in prayer, believing this grants spiritual merit and liberation.
At Pashupatinath Temple, four rounds of special worship are performed overnight, along with lamp ceremonies and the offering of large quantities of bel leaves. Pilgrims from across Nepal and from India gather there, creating large crowds.
According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, special arrangements have been made this year for visitors. Treasurer Shridhar Sapkota said the ban on cannabis, bhang, and datura in the Pashupati area, in place for the past three years, continues this year, and violations will be punished.
Temple doors opened from 2 AM, and multiple entry lines and parking areas have been arranged for devotees. In previous years, more than a million visitors have come to the Pashupati area on this day.
Large numbers of devotees are also gathering at other Shiva temples in the valley such as Gokarneshwar Temple and Doleshwar Mahadev Temple, as well as Shiva shrines outside the capital, to celebrate the festival with devotion.
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