Shivaratri

Shivaratri dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. The festival is celebrated annually on the 13th night/14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna (February/March) and is considered as the darkest night of the year.

The main celebration of Shivaratri takes place at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Pashupatinath is one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the world and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the day of Shivaratri, thousands of devotees from Nepal and India flock to Pashupatinath to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and the air is filled with the sound of hymns and mantras.

Devotees take a dip in the holy Bagmati River, which flows through the temple complex, to purify themselves before offering prayers. They also perform a traditional puja (worship) ceremony, which includes offering fruits, flowers, and incense to the deity.

In addition to the temple celebrations, the festival is also celebrated in homes and communities throughout Nepal with feasts and gatherings. Many people fast for the entire day and night, and some even perform austerities and rituals to please Lord Shiva.

The festival concludes with the offering of a grand feast to Lord Shiva, and the distribution of prasad (sacred food) among the devotees. Shivaratri is a festival of devotion, purification, and spiritual rejuvenation for Hindus, and Pashupatinath Temple is considered as the most sacred place to celebrate this festival.