Kathmandu, 15 Feb: The festival of Mahashivaratri, observed every year on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, is being celebrated across Nepal today with proper worship and devotion to Lord Shiva. According to the calendar, Trayodashi Tithi lasts until 4:52 PM today, after which Chaturdashi Tithi begins and continues until 5:35 PM on Monday. As Chaturdashi falls at midnight tonight, the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Development Committee has decided that Mahashivaratri should be observed today.
Committee member Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai stated that scriptures mention Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Shiva at midnight on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. Therefore, worship, devotion, and darshan performed on the night when Chaturdashi falls at midnight are believed to bring happiness and peace in this world and salvation in the afterlife.
From early morning, followers of the Vedic Sanatan Hindu tradition have been taking ritual baths in rivers, ponds, and reservoirs and visiting Shiva temples to offer prayers with deep faith. This festival, named after the night of Lord Shiva’s manifestation, is described in texts such as the Shiva Purana as one of the four sacred nights—Kalaratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri, and Shivaratri.
Mahashivaratri, observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, is regarded as one of the most beloved days of Ashutosh Lord Shiva, who is believed to awaken righteousness in the hearts of the poor and suffering. Religious belief holds that during the month of Magh, Shiva’s destructive (Rudra) aspect causes trees and plants to shed their leaves, while in Falgun, his benevolent (Shiva) aspect brings new life and growth—hence the celebration of Shivaratri.
On this day, devotees observe fasting, perform rituals in Shiva temples, and offer items dear to Lord Shiva such as milk, datura, and bel leaves. It is believed that those who fast and remain awake throughout the night attain spiritual fulfillment and are freed from the cycle of death. According to popular belief, as Lord Shiva feels cold on this day, sacred fires are lit in homes, courtyards, and temples, accompanied by devotional singing, and prasad is prepared and shared from the same fire.
Special Arrangements at Pashupatinath Temple
As a national cultural festival, Mahashivaratri is marked at Pashupatinath with four different ritual worship sessions across the four watches of the night, along with Mahadeep, Akhand Deep, Lakshya Batti, a grand lamp-lighting ceremony, and the offering of one hundred thousand bel leaves. Classical music and dance performances are held at Kailashkut and Kirateshwar music ashrams. Large numbers of pilgrims from across Nepal and neighboring India gather at Pashupatinath for darshan and to attend the Shivaratri fair.
To facilitate devotees, special arrangements have been made this year, according to Trust Treasurer Shridhar Sapkota. The consumption and sale of substances such as cannabis, bhang, and datura—banned at Pashupati for the past three years—remain prohibited, and violators will face legal action. All four gates of Pashupatinath were opened from 2:00 AM today.
Three external queue systems have been arranged for darshan this year, along with additional internal queue management inside the temple premises. Parking facilities have been organized at Sifal, Tilganga, across Guhyeshwari, the Trust office area, and Vanakali. Along with Pashupatinath, major Shiva temples in and outside the Kathmandu Valley—including Gokarneshwar and Doleswor—are also witnessing large crowds of devotees offering prayers and seeking blessings today.
