"Maha Shivaratri : Awaited Festival In Nepal"

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord. Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva . It is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the Maagha or Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar.

Since, many different calendars are followed by various ethno-linguistic groups of India, the month and the Tithi name are not uniform all over India and Nepal. Celebrated in the dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha(waning moon) of the month of Maagha according to the Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama or Phalguna according to the Vikrama era. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva , all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil.

All through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord "Om Namah Shivaya". In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's summum bonum steadily and swiftly.

A week-long International Mandi Shivratri Fair held at Mandi in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh every year is one of the major tourist attractions in the state.

On Mahashivratri, Nishita Kala is the most perfect time to observe Shiva Pooja. On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed during this time. In Nepal, Pashupatinath Temple is very famous for celebration of Shivratri. Maha Shiva Ratri is one of the most popular hindu celebration of Nepal. God Shiva regarded as lord of the lord is supreme Hindu god of destruction.

Pashupatinath is the biggest temple of lord shiva In Nepal. In Shivaratri Pashupatinatha temple has a big possession. Hindu devotees from all over Nepal and India visit Pashupatinath. Large number of Shadus come to Pashupatinath. Different types of Shadus can be seen around Pashapupati and its surroundings.

Unlike most Hindu festivals which take place during the day, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. There are all night vigils and prayers representing Shiva’s ability to overcome darkness and ignorance. Many spend the night around the temple, lighting sacred fires, singing praises to Lord Shiva and keeping vigil to welcome his descent to Earth.

Aside from the crowds it’s a happy and welcoming festival. Looking down on the temple from the opposite side you’ll witness cremations, blessings and throngs of people. Meanwhile all around you will be ancient stupas, temple areas, some brazen monkey’s and a bevy of Sadhus.

On the eve of the Mahashivaratri festival, which falls today, Sadhus and Babas have started congregating at Pashupatinath temple area.

Thousands of Shiva devotees, also called babas, from around the country and various parts of India visit Pashupatinath temple every year and stay in various locations in and around the temple area.

As Maha Shivaratri is mainly related with the night, the devotees stay up all night and pray to Lord Shiva.

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