Maha Shivaratri: Grand celebrations, special worship & traffic advisory (photos)

KATHMANDU: Maha Shivaratri, the sacred festival named after the night of Lord Shiva’s manifestation, is being celebrated across Nepal today with grand rituals, prayers, and temple visits.

Observed annually on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the festival honors Lord Shiva with traditional worship and devotion.

According to religious scriptures, the Supreme Brahma assumed the form of Shiva on this night, making it an auspicious occasion for worship, bringing peace in this life and salvation in the afterlife, says religious scholar Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai.

Hindu devotees began the day with a ritual bath in rivers, ponds, and sacred water bodies before heading to Shiva temples for worship.

Maha Shivaratri is one of the four holiest nights mentioned in the Shiva Purana, also known as Kalaratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri, and Shivaratri.

The festival signifies the awakening of righteousness in the hearts of the poor and suffering. It is believed that in Magh, due to Lord Shiva’s Rudra nature—associated with destruction—trees and plants shed their leaves, whereas in Falgun, his benevolent nature revives them, symbolizing new beginnings.

Devotees observe a strict fast, offer milk, Dhatura (jimsonweed), and Belpatra (Bilva leaves) to Lord Shiva, and keep vigil throughout the night, as it is believed to grant ultimate blessings and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. In many places, devotees light bonfires, offer prayers, and sing devotional hymns, believing that Lord Shiva feels cold on this night.

At Pashupatinath, the most revered Shiva temple, special four-phase worship rituals—Prayers, Mahadeep lighting, Akhandadeep, Lakh Batti (100,000 oil lamps), and Deepotsav—are performed. Traditional music and dance are presented at cultural sites like Kailashkut and Kirateshwar music ashrams. Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India have gathered at Pashupatinath to witness the grand festival.

The Prahar Puja, an essential ritual of Maha Shivaratri, holds deep significance, explains Dr. Bhattarai, a member of Nepal’s Panchang Nirnayak Samiti. It begins around 6 PM at Pashupatinath and consists of four phases:

• The first Prahar Puja concludes at around 8:45 PM.
• The second begins at around 9 PM and ends at 11:45 PM.
• The third starts at midnight and ends at around 2:45 AM.
• The fourth begins at 3 AM and concludes at around 6 AM.

Each phase involves sacred chants, meditation, Rudrabhishek, offerings, and prayers. Many Shiva temples across Nepal, including Rudreshwor Mahadev in Chabahil, Trigajur Shiva Temple in Gaurighat, Gokarneshwor Mahadev, Nageshwar, and Doleswor, also conduct the four-phase Prahar Puja, with devotees believing it pleases Lord Shiva.

With deep faith and devotion, Nepal celebrates Maha Shivaratri today, marking one of the most significant religious and cultural events of the year.

Special worship arrangements

Special worship arrangements have been made at Pashupatinath Temple on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, starting at 7 PM. According to Rajkumar Khatri, a council member of the Pashupati Area Development Trust and coordinator of the publicity subcommittee, devotees can participate in the Maha Shivaratri special worship by paying Rs 15,100.

This exclusive arrangement allows devotees to complete their worship within an hour without standing in long queues. This year, the special worship will include only the Panchamrit Puja. Unlike last year, options such as Balbhog with Panchamrit Puja, Rudrabhishek, Laghu Rudrabhishek, and complete Panchamrit Puja with offerings have been removed.

For devotees willing to offer more than Rs 15,000, additional religious rituals such as Rudrabhishek, Hawan, and Aarti with 1.25 lakh lamps will be included. The payment for special worship must be made through SBI Bank, located on the western side of the Pashupati area. Participation is limited to 200 devotees this year.

The worship will be conducted in four phases:

• First phase: 7:00 PM
• Second phase: 9:00 PM
• Third phase: 12:00 AM
• Fourth phase: 3:00 AM

The special worship aims to enhance spiritual consciousness, promote sattvic qualities, and encourage meditation, prayer, and devotion. Additionally, devotees can now offer donations via digital wallets and mobile banking services, including eSewa, ensuring a seamless experience.

An estimated 500,000 devotees are expected to visit Pashupatinath during Maha Shivaratri. To ensure smooth management, the temple premises have been declared a plastic-free zone. Entry arrangements are as follows:

• Four lanes at the outer entrance
• Three lanes each at the western and northern gates
• Two lanes each at the eastern and southern gates

A high-level committee has been formed for overall management, covering security, accommodation, food, and religious programs. Proper arrangements have also been made for sanitation, drinking water, restrooms, and footwear storage. Special fire pits (Dhuni) have been set up for Naga Sadhus in the temple premises.

Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath promises a divine and well-organized experience for devotees seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings.

Heading to Pashupatinath? Traffic restrictions & parking details

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Binod Ghimire, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, separate parking arrangements have been made for vehicles entering the valley from various entry points for the convenience of devotees. Parking spaces have been designated along with arrangements to ensure smooth movement for those traveling from distant locations.

If the heavy influx of devotees makes vehicle movement in the Gaushala area and along the Ring Road impossible, traffic will be restricted in Gaushala, and alternative routes will be used to facilitate movement. To manage this, a large number of traffic police officers have been deployed on corridor and inner roads, SSP Ghimire stated.

As usual, vehicles will be allowed to operate smoothly in Chabahil, Gaushala, and Tilganga areas. However, if the crowd becomes excessive and obstructs traffic movement, a diversion policy will be implemented, and vehicles will be rerouted through alternative routes.

The traffic police have prohibited the movement of all cargo vehicles coming from Tinkune to Sinamangal, Boudha to Gaurighat, and from Old Baneshwor, Gaushala, and Mitrapark.

Parking for vehicles coming from the Bagmati Corridor and Jorpati via Chabahil has been designated across Guheshwari. If traffic congestion in Gaushala Chowk becomes unmanageable, vehicles traveling from Chabahil to Gaushala, Old Baneshwor to Gaushala, Gyaneshwor–Maitidevi turning to Ratopul–Gaushala, and Sifal Ground to Jai Bageshwari will be redirected through alternative routes.

To prevent vehicle theft and ensure security, plainclothes traffic police have also been deployed. The traffic police have urged the public to park their vehicles in secure locations.

To facilitate smooth movement during the Shivaratri festival, a command center has been established under the leadership of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), with 890 traffic police officers deployed on the ground.

Additional personnel will be assigned as needed based on traffic volume, according to Traffic Police Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjay Bahadur Raut.

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