Maha Shivaratri Celebrated with Devotion; Large Crowds at Pashupatinath Temple

Kathmandu — Maha Shivaratri is being celebrated across the country today with rituals, worship, and prayers at Shiva temples. Named after the night of Lord Shiva’s origin, this festival is considered one of the four holy nights: Kalaratri, Moha Ratri, Sukha Ratri, and Shivaratri.

Devotees observe fasting, visit Shiva temples, and offer Lord Shiva’s favorite items such as milk, dhatura (a sacred plant), and bel leaves. It is also believed that Lord Shiva feels cold on this night, leading to the tradition of lighting sacred fires accompanied by devotional songs and offerings.

The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu saw a surge of devotees from early morning. According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, all four gates of the temple were opened from 2 AM to accommodate the influx of worshippers. This year, arrangements have been made for over one million devotees to visit the temple.

Eight internal and four external lines have been organized for smooth entry and exit, with the aim of ensuring quick and orderly darshan (viewing of the deity).

The trust has implemented designated pathways for devotees:

• Via Mitrapark and Gaurighat to Uma Kunda, Dakshinamurti, and Rudragadeshwar for the northern gate.
• Through Jayabageshwari and Intapakh for the western gate.
• From Battisputali-Gaushala and Airport-Tilganga to Pingalasthan and Sumargi Bhawan for the southern gate.

Additional arrangements have been made near Tilganga’s Ram Mandir if necessary, with early morning access provided for regular devotees through a small iron gate at Bhuvaneshwari by 7 AM. Devotees enter and exit the temple premises through the same route to maintain order.

Parking spaces for visitors’ vehicles have been allocated at Sifal, Tilganga, across Guhyeshwari, the trust’s office, and Bankali. The temple area has been beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere in the evening.

Alongside Pashupatinath, major Shiva temples in the Kathmandu Valley—such as Gokarneshwar, Doleswar, and Nageshwar—are witnessing large crowds. Devotees are also flocking to Shiva temples outside the valley for worship and prayers.

Special arrangements have been made at Pashupatinath Temple, including four sessions of worship throughout the night, grand lamp offerings, and a ritual of presenting one hundred thousand bel leaves. Traditional music and dance performances are being held at Kailashkut and Kirateshwar ashrams.

Pilgrims from various parts of Nepal and neighboring India have gathered at Pashupatinath Temple to worship Lord Shiva and participate in the Maha Shivaratri fair. Temples across the country, where Lord Shiva is installed with life-infusing rituals, are also performing the sacred four-phase worship ceremonies tonight.

To ensure the safety and convenience of visitors, the Pashupati Area Development Trust has implemented special measures this year. The sale and use of intoxicants such as marijuana, cannabis, and dhatura have been strictly prohibited for the past seven years, and this regulation continues to be enforced. Security personnel, numbering around five thousand, have been deployed to maintain order and prevent the sale of banned substances.