Nationwide celebrations mark Mahashivaratri with special worship and rituals

Kathmandu: Mahashivaratri is being celebrated across the country today with devotees worshipping Lord Shiva through traditional rituals and ceremonies. The festival, observed annually on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, holds special religious significance in the Hindu calendar.

According to the lunar calendar, Trayodashi Tithi will continue until 4:52 PM today, after which Chaturdashi will commence and remain until 5:35 PM on Monday. As Chaturdashi Tithi falls at midnight on Sunday, the Nepal Panchang Nirikhaya Bikas Samiti has decided to observe Mahashivaratri today. Committee member Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai stated that it is believed the Supreme Lord assumes the form of Shiva at midnight on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. Religious belief holds that worship, prayers, and darshan on this day bring happiness and peace in this life and salvation in the hereafter.

Since early morning, Vedic Sanatan Hindu devotees have been offering prayers at Shiva temples after bathing in rivers, ponds, and lakes. Named after the sacred night associated with the birth of Shiva, the festival is mentioned in the Shiva Purana and other scriptures as one of the holiest nights among Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukhratri, and Shivaratri.

Mahashivaratri is regarded as one of the most auspicious fasts. Devotees traditionally observe fasting and remain awake throughout the night, offering milk, dhatura, and belpatra to Lord Shiva. It is believed that fasting and staying awake on this day grants spiritual fulfillment and liberation from Yamaloka. Reflecting the belief that Lord Mahadev is sensitive to cold, devotees also light dhuni fires and sing bhajans at various locations.

A special worship program has been organized at Pashupatinath Temple, where the festival is celebrated as a national cultural event. During the four night watches, special pujas, Mahadeep, Akhanddeep, Lakshyabatti, and Deepotsav are performed, along with the offering of lakhs of belpatra. Pilgrims from across the country and neighboring India have arrived for darshan at the temple.

Special arrangements have been made in the Pashupati area for the occasion. All four gates of the temple have been open since 2 am. For the convenience of devotees, three outer queues and one inner queue have been arranged. Parking areas have been designated at Sifal, Tilganga, Guhyeshworipari, and Banakali.

Large gatherings of devotees have also been observed at Shiva temples nationwide, including Gokarneshwor Temple and Doleshwor Temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Police authorities have stated that security measures have been tightened to ensure the smooth observance of the festival.