Maha Shivaratri

Shivaratri marks the night when Shiva is said to have performed the tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. It is also associated with his marriage to Parvati and with the churning of the ocean, depending on the tradition.

Pashupatinath has been a major pilgrimage site since the Licchavi period, and royal patronage over centuries made it the centre of Shiva worship in Nepal. The festival has drawn pilgrims from across the subcontinent for generations.

Devotees fast through the day and night, bathe in sacred rivers where possible, and offer water, milk, honey, and bel leaves to the Shiva lingam. Temples stay open all night and queues can take hours.

At Pashupatinath, priests perform abhishek, the ritual bathing of the deity, while pilgrims circle the temple and chant. Many people sleep on the temple grounds or beside the river until dawn.

Expect immense crowds and tight security. The main temple interior is open only to Hindus, but the surrounding complex, ghats, and courtyards are accessible to visitors. Dress modestly and remove leather items before entering sacred areas.

Photography of sadhus and pilgrims should always be negotiated first, and some will expect payment. Come early in the evening for the best atmosphere, keep to the main paths, and arrange transport in advance because the roads around Gaushala become congested.

Maha Shivaratri (महा शिवरात्रि) is a hindu festival observed mainly in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu. It falls around February–March, in the Nepali month of Falgun, and typically lasts 1 night.

The main day is Shivaratri night, when fasting, vigil, and abhishek at pashupatinath takes centre stage. It is a national public holiday, so offices, schools, and many businesses close.

Festival dates follow the lunar Bikram Sambat calendar, so the English month range (February–March) is approximate and can shift by a couple of weeks from year to year. Confirm the current year's date with a local calendar or your hotel before booking transport.

Expect Pashupatinath, Kathmandu to be busier than usual in the days around Shivaratri night. Book accommodation and long-distance travel early, carry cash, and allow extra time for crowds and road closures.