Maha Shivaratri Festival

Maha Shivaratri: In Nepal, Maha Shivaratri festival is celebrated in all Shiva temples and in Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu. In honor of the deity Shiva, the event will take place on 26 February 2025. According to the Hindu calendar, it is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - waning) of the lunar month of Phalgun 14, 2081 BC. Shiva performs his divine dance called the Tandava during the festival to commemorate the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Hindus observe this festival to commemorate the "overcoming of darkness and ignorance" in their lives and world. This night is celebrated by remembering Shiva, chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness and the discovery of Shiva. A devotee who visits a Shiva temple or pilgrimages to a Jyotirlingams is considered a devotee. It is believed that the festival originated in the 5th century.

Hinduism's Shaivism tradition places a great deal of importance on Maha Shivaratri. Maha Shivaratri is a nighttime festival, unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the daytime. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals, Maha Shivaratri features introspection, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self-study, social harmony, and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples, unlike most Hindu festivals. During this night, Shaiva Hindus maintain a jagaram vigil and pray, as they believe Shiva helps one overcome darkness and ignorance in life and in the world. People offer fruits, leaves, sweets, and milk to Shiva, some fast all day with Vedic or Tantric worship, and some practice meditation. The sacred Panchakshara mantra of Shiva, "Om Namah Shivaya", is chanted throughout the day in Shiva temples. Reciting the Shiva Chalisa, the hymn that praises Shiva, is a popular ritual among devotees

Maha Shivaratri is mentioned in several Puranas, including Skanda Purana, Linga Purana, and Padma Purana. Shaiva texts from the medieval era present different versions associated with this festival, such as fasting and worshiping a Shiva lingam. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in different ways according to different legends. In Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. It is through the chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures, and the chorus of devotees that Shiva's presence is felt worldwide during this cosmic dance. Different legends assert that offering Shiva icons, such as the linga, is a chance for people to overcome their past sins, restart their virtuous path, and thereby reach Mount Kailash. Shiva was also believed to have swallowed Halahala during the Samudra Manthana on this particular day, which bruised and turned his neck blue. Consequently, he was given the epithet Nilakantha. This incident is also believed to have occurred in the famous Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

Every year, Kathmandu Nepal celebrates Maha Shiva Ratri at Pashupatinath temple, which is the biggest Shiva temple in the world. Shiva Bhakta devotees come from all over the world to Kathmandu Maha Shiva Ratri festival. Our company Monterosa Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd has organized a holy tour to celebrate Maha Shiva Ratri festival. Please join us for the entire tour.