Maha Shivaratri Festival in Nepal

Shiva ratri is one of the most popular festivals dedicated to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva. This festival is Celebrated all over Nepal. Shivratri symbolises victory, honesty, and forgiveness. In Nepal this festival is celebrated every year with lots of energy and joy. Shivaratri is celebrated all over Nepal but at Pashupatinath there will be huge crowd. People from all over Nepal, india and other part of world visit here in Nepal. Not only in Pashupatinath people go to nearest shiva temple to worship lord shiva in this day.

Moreover, In Nepali, Maha Shivaratri or Shivaratri is known as महा शिवरात्री or शिवरात्री. The meaning of Shivaratri means “Night of lord Shiva” Shiva mean lord shiva and ratri means Night. This night people smokes weed, marijuana burn fire in front of the shiva statue and enjoy all night. This day people celebrate with lots of joys. Also we greet peoples by saying “OM NAMO SHIVAYA”

Why is Shivaratri celebrated in Nepal?

Here are some reason why Shivaratri is celebrated in Nepal.

Celebrated marriage of lord shiva: According to the Hindu religion holy books its id said this day lord shiva and goddess Parvati get united.

Wordship of lord shiva: Maha Shivaratri is Celebrated as day of supreme devotion to Lord Shiva seeking good health, wealth, and blessings. This day People wordship shiva which is the one of the important god of hindu region.

Shivas tandav nritya: nritya is known as the dance of primordial creation, preservation, and destruction. This day is celebrating as first performance of Shiva’s Tandava Nritya.

Victory over evil: In the day of Maha Shivaratri Lord Shiva destroyer the evil. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as a victory of good over evil.

Significance for Yogis and Sadhus: Maha Shivaratri is a significant festival for yogis and sadhus. yogis and sadhus practice meditation and spiritual disciplines in this day. There is the belief that Lord Shiva bestows his blessings on those seeking spiritual upliftment and awakening.

How is Shivaratri celebrated in Nepal?

Maha Shivaratri is the biggest day and festival in Hindu religion. This day is celebrated as the day for lord shiva. Here are some ways people celebrate this day in Nepal:

1. Fasting: Devotees observe this festival by taking strict fasting. On this day people avoid eating any food or drinking water for the whole day. The fast will end only in the evening by consuming some food or fruit, water, etc.

2. Visiting Shiva Temples: The common thing all Hindus do during this festival is visit the nearest Shiva temples. Many of the people visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple located at Kathmandu, which is one of the most respected Shiva temples in the world. We can see a large crowd in Pashupatinath on Shivaratri day.

3. Lighting Lamps: on the Maha Shivaratri day people light lamps called Dio on Nepali as a symbol of enlightenment and purification.

4. Nightlong Vigil: On this day devotees spend the entire night singing and chanting hymns of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Nightlong vigil will provide the blessing of lord shiva.

5. Consumption of Bhang: Bhang is known as lord shiva offering so that on Shivaratri day, some parts of Nepal consume bhang (a cannabis-leaf preparation). Bhang and weed in illegal practice in Nepal, but people consume lots of weed which is illegal in Nepal. So, avoid it if you are travelling Nepal.

6. Bonfires: At night devotes burn fire from woof for Night long Vigil so that them could keep them self-warm.

Here are some tips for Shivaratri in Nepal:

Plan a head: Planning ahead is very important if you are travelling to Nepal on Shivaratri day. Plan everything including your stay travel arrangements and other requirements otherwise your travel can get mess.

Stay Hydrated: Most people avoid drinking water and eating fruits in festival day Try to eat juicy fruits and stay hydrated in festive day.

Dress appropriate: Avoid wearing western and open dresses which reveals your skin beside that wear traditional dress like kurta saree in this day.

Follow tradition: Take flowers and other items to wordship shiva. There will be que on Shiva temple during Shivaratri so maintain line and friendly environment.

Respect temples and its surroundings: It is very important to respect temple and surroundings as a traveller so that you should not face any problems.

Enjoy the festival: Lastly enjoy the festival and enjoy the surroundings with taking part in events and Progarms.