Festivals

Maha Shivaratri on the 1st of March 2022:

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 the places of the 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 Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva by offering flowers, garlands, Bel Patra (leaves of Bet f rub), fruits, and coins by chanting prayers, and hymns. Among them are many of the Holy Man (Sadhu) from Nepal and India. Many people like to keep awake for the night keeping vigilance over an oil lamp brunt to please Lord Shiva. Children are seen keeping awake similarly over a bonfire 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 the day of Maha Shivaratri. The devotees perform the ‘Rudra Abhishekham’ at midnight of Maha Sivaratri to worship the formless Sadashiv.
• Lord Shiva and Parvati got married on the day of 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.