Maha Shivaratri: A Revered Journey toward Spiritual Liberation

On Sunday, millions of devotees in Nepal and across the world are celebrating the sacred Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri .. the Great Night of Lord Shiva .. with deep devotion, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, revered in Hinduism as the supreme deity of transformation and cosmic balance.

Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Shiva on this auspicious night brings inner peace, destroys accumulated sins, and ultimately leads toward spiritual liberation, or moksha.

Across Nepal, from small village shrines to major temples, special rituals and prayers are being performed since early morning.

The epicenter of the celebrations is the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu … one of the holiest Shiva shrines in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The festival falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Nepali month of Falgun.

According to Hindu mythology, this sacred night marks the cosmic beginning of creation, when Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a divine Jyotirlinga — an infinite pillar of light symbolizing supreme consciousness.

It is also widely believed that Maha Shivaratri commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, symbolizing the union of consciousness and energy … often interpreted as the harmony between nature and the cosmos.

On this day, devotees observe fasting, take holy baths in sacred rivers, and remain awake throughout the night in prayer and meditation. Chanting of Vedic hymns, especially the Rudri Path, and ritual offerings of water and milk — known as Jalabhishek — are performed with deep faith. Many believe these rituals cleanse the mind of ignorance and ego, replacing darkness with spiritual wisdom.

At Pashupatinath, thousands of devotees have gathered since early dawn.

The temple premises have been beautifully decorated with flowers and lights.

All four gates of the temple were opened early this morning to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims.

Adding to the spiritual vibrancy are thousands of Hindu sages and ascetics, including Naga sadhus from neighboring India, who have arrived to participate in the celebrations.

Devotional singing, dancing, and chanting have filled the temple complex with a powerful spiritual atmosphere.

Youth volunteers are actively assisting devotees — distributing drinking water, managing queues, and providing emergency health services.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, an estimated 4,000 sadhus and at least 800,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple during this year’s Maha Shivaratri festival.

Meanwhile, security has been significantly tightened. The Kathmandu District Police Office has issued a 13-point public advisory, urging festival-goers to avoid wearing expensive jewelry and to remain vigilant in crowded areas to ensure a safe and orderly celebration.

Authorities say coordinated efforts are in place to manage the crowd and maintain public safety throughout the festival.##