Why travelling in Nepal during Shivaratri Festival?

Shivaratri Festival in Nepal 

The festival of Shivaratri or “Night of Shiva” is a major Hindu festival dedicated to God  Shiva, the destroyer and transformer in the Hindu triad. Magh means the 14th night and Magh or Phalgunasinci is the lunar month in which this festival is celebrated. Shivaratri is a big deal in Nepal, where its colorful rituals attract both devotees and tourists.

The people who believe in Shiva and his power, can feel him while travelling in Nepal in Shivaratri festival by visiting Pashupatinath Temple with Fasting, Bhajans ( holy chanting) and offerings to him. 

According to English Calendar, the Shigvaratri Festival falls in the late February or in March every year. One needs to check the calendar and fix it. 

Mid February to Early March where Shivaratri Festival Falls every year according to English calendar. 

The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, becomes a hub of festivities and holy celebrations during Mahashivaratri festival in Nepal.

Pashupatinath Temple is UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major part of Day Tour to UNESCO Heritage Sites. 

The Pashupatinath Temple  is located at the bank of holy Bagmati River, which is the only cremation site for Hindus who live in Kathmandu Valley. 

Thousands of devotees from across Nepal and India throng the temple to offer their prayers, chant "Om Namah Shivaya," and participate in the night-long vigil. 

The sadhus, or ascetic holy men, with their ash-smeared bodies and garishly colored robes, lend a mystical aura to the celebrations in Pashupatinath Temple area in Shivaratri festival. Their presence underlines the deep spiritual roots of the event.

Devotees go on a fast, meditate, and perform pujas in an elaborate manner; they believe that worshiping Shiva on this night absolves sins and brings spiritual enlightenment. Bonfires are lit, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Offerings of bel leaves, milk, and holy water are made to Shiva Lingams.

It is also a spectacle of cultural unity and tradition. The streets around Pashupatinath reverberate with the beats of music, dances, and markets selling festive items. 

For tourists, Shivaratri presents an opportunity for them to be a part of the richness of Nepalese heritage and religious frenzy. This is a night when Kathmandu comes alive with devotion, bringing the divine and earthly spheres together in a quintessential Nepali way.

Why Shivaratri Festival is celebrated? 

Here are seven of the most important reasons Shivaratri is celebrated:

To Mark the Union of Shiva and Parvati

It is said to commemorate the sacred marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolizing the union of divine energies.

This day, Shivaratri is celebrated as the special wedding ceremony between Parvati( goddess in Hindu Mythology) and Shiva ( the most powerful god in Hindu Religion). Therefore, it is special among the people and the devotees of Shiva.

Significance of Devotion

Devotees believe that observing Shivaratri with dedication and fasting absolves them of sins and leads to spiritual liberation (moksha). They will be blessed by god Shiva if they perform fasting and make some religious offerings on the occasion of Shivaratri. 

Manifestation of Shiva as Lingam 

Shiva is worshiped in his formless cosmic form, the Shiva Lingam, symbolizing the creation and destruction of the universe.

It is believed that Shiva is manifested in the form of Holy Liungam on the day of Shivaratri. 

So, the women who are barren, cannot give birth to a child, worship and make special offerings to Shiva Lingam and try to touch the real lingam of holy ascetics in Pashupatinath Temple Area in Shivaratri festival. If they do so, it is believed that they will have child soon or later in their life. 

Legend of the Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)

It was during the cosmic churning that Shiva drank the deadly poison (halahala) to save the world, and Shivaratri is a day to honor his sacrifice.

In order to mark his valor of sacrificing himself to save the world, people celebrate Shivaratri. 

The Night of Supreme Devotion 

Devotees stay awake all night in prayer and meditation, signifying the victory of light over darkness and ignorance.

Actually, devotees do fasting, smoke weeds, chants and make special offering to Shiva to makr the event as the night of supreme Devotion. 

Celestial Event: Shivaratri is believed to mark the night when Shiva performed the Tandava, his cosmic dance representing creation, preservation, and destruction.

Spiritual Awakening: It is a day to practice intense meditation, yoga, and self-reflection, aligning one's energy with the divine vibrations of the universe.

Why travelling in Nepal during Shivaratri Festival? 

Here are six reasons one should visit Nepal during Shivaratri:

To Experience Vibrant Hindu Culture

Attend the grand celebration of Shivaratri in Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest sites for the Lord Shiva devotee, with rituals, chants, and offerings. 

Unique Spiritual Atmosphere

Join thousands of pilgrims and sadhus or holy men who come from all over South Asia for meditation, spiritual discourses, and prayers at Pashupatinath Temple Area. 

Colorful Processions and Traditions

 Enjoy the vibrant parades, street performances, and traditional music that create an electrifying festive vibe throughout the country.

Sadhus from all over South Asis go to Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal on foot spending more than a month to mark special Maha Shivaratri festival. 

Cultural Immersion

Join night-long vigils, bonfires, and storytelling sessions that give deep insights into Nepal's rich spiritual traditions.

If you observe Shivaratri Festival while you are in Nepal, you will feel Shiva’s real power through a deep cultural and religious immersion. 

Tourist-Friendly Timing

As Shivaratri falls during the spring, it offers pleasant weather, making it ideal for temple visits, trekking, and sightseeing in Nepal.

The month of February or March in which Shivaratri falls, are some of the best times of year for traveling in Nepal. You can blend Shivaratri Festival celebrationwith other trekking or city tours in Nepal. 

A Fusion of Festivities and Adventure

The cultural experience is a rare one, added to which are the natural beauty of Nepal, trekking routes, and adventure sports.

One can observe Shivaratri in Pashupatinath Temple Area and further proceed for other activities like trekking, hiking and any other city tours activities in Nepal during Shivaratri festival in Nepal. 

When is Shivaratri in Nepali date 2081

Shivaratri in Nepal in 2081 falls on 14th Falgun. It falls on 26th February according to English Calendar. If you are preparing to travel in Nepal on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, you can prepare your celebration accordingly.  

Shivaratri in Pashupati Kathmandu Nepal

Observing Shivaratri in Pashupatinath Kathmandu Nepal will be a lifetime spiritual experience. The decorated and vibrant streets of Pashupatinath Temple Area, the holy Bagmati River, the Sadhus, Shiva Lingas and massive Pashupatinath Temple, religious and spiritual celebrations and many more make Shivaratri in Pashupati Kathmandu very special. 

Do you know a fact that having weed is legal in Pashupatinath Temple Area this on Shivaratri day as weed is considered to be a holy offering to god Shiva.

Can I observe and attend Shivartri festival though I am not a Hindu? 

Yes, even the Non-Hindus can celebrate Shivaratri festival in Nepal. They can attend the pujas, holy chanting, offerings and fasting as well during holy Mahashivaratri celebration. 

But, need to consider one thing that is: Non Hindus are not permitted to enter into the main temple of Pashupatinath. But, you can observe and explore the other premises of Pashupatinath Temple Area being non-Hindus. 

What is the real date of Shivaratri? 

The real date of Shivaratri either falls in February or in March months according to English calendar.

The actual date of Shivaratri falls between mid Feb to early March in English Calendar. 

Where is the best place to celebrate Shivaratri festial in Nepal?

Pashupatinath Temple area is the best place to celebrate Shivaratri festival in Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Kathmandu. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour in Nepal.