Shivaratri Managements in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu:

Shivaratri which was expected to bring more than two million devotees this year in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu has already been overcrowded with the flow of Lord Shiv devotees to worship him this special day and invite blessings in their life. Saints and pilgrims from India have also come to Pashupati on Shivaratri.

Hindus observe this grand festival Mahashivaratri on Fagun Krishna Chaturdashi (the fourth day of the waning moon in the month of Phagun), as per the lunar calendar.

Devotees of Vedic Sanatan Hinduism take a bath in rivers and ponds, go to Shivalaya and worship with devotion. Meanwhile, devotees have been thronging Pashupati since last night to worship Lord Pashupatinath. More than two lakhs devotees  have visited Pashupatinath this year.

The devotees lined up from four points and the main temple doors was opened from 2 am. Since there is a huge crowd on this day, one is not allowed to spend much time inside the temple to visit. Nine people can visit the temple at a time, at least one hundred people can worship in a minute.

There is no provision for a special pass to enter the temple to observe Mahashivaratri this year. Devotees line up from four flights Tilganga, Gaushala police circle front, Jayavageshwari and points towards the airport. 

The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) had announced a ban on the supply of meat products and alcoholic beverages around the temple area, starting from Wednesday, in view of the festival. It is said that such a ban has been imposed to complete the festival in a disciplined, dignified and orderly manner and to maintain security, religious, cultural dignity and sanctity within the Pashupati area. 

This time, the fund has allocated a budget of 1 crore for all the management including 3 million worth of flowers has been used for decoration of temple area and gate and 1 million worth of lights has been installed for early and late devotees.

Ambulance service, around six hundred volunteers, 70 health camps, security officers of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department have been mobilized for the devotees reaching Pashupati today, said Rajukumar Khatri, Member Secretary of Development Fund.

It is estimated by the development fund that more than three thousand monks have come to Pashupatinath this year. Like of every year, Pashupati Area Development Fund has allocated budget for all sages and saints for food and travel expenses for their convenience as they travel very long.

Significance of Shivaratri:

Shivaratri is a festival celebrated to devote prayers to one of the three great lord of hindu religion, Lord Shiva. Shiva is believed to regulate the universe as he signifies the salvation of everything that’s born. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed on the fourteenth day of the first half (night start with darkness - waning) of the lunar month of Phalguna.

Shivpurana, also known as Mahapurana is the supreme science that takes human consciousness to its highest peak. The night of Mahashivratri is also very important from a scientific point of view. That night all the planets remain in a particular position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Meditation, sadhana, chanting, hymes, kirtan and fasting during the auspicious time, is believed to uplift the internal energy of the seeker to the highest peak of spirituality and the natural power also believed to directly help in this.  

Why do they worship?

On the day of Phalgun Chaturdarshi Tithi, Lord Shiva gave up chastity and married Goddess Parvati and entered the household life. It is said in the Puranas that on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri, Lord Shiva appeared from the formless to the physical form. He got married on the same day.

For this reason, Mahashivratri fast is observed. If you worship Mahadev on that day, you will get health benefits, freedom from premature death and all happiness. Fasting, mantra chanting and night vigil are of special importance on that day.

Lord Shiva is one of the three supreme Gods. He is considered as the deity of destruction. Because of this, worshiping him frees one from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation.

How do they celebrate?

Today, devotees observe fast and worship Lord Shiva by offering milk, dhaturo and belapatra. Devotees involve in focus, fast, meditation of Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all-night vigil at Shiva temples by chanting the shiva mantra “Om Namoha Shivaya”.

According to Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva is very pleased if anointed with milk, curd, ghee, honey and Ganges water.

Unlike any other festival this festival is celebrated until late night by igniting huge fire at every chowks. This fire of this night is believed to be blessing and keep one warm and healthy all the year. People also cook “Prasad” and distribute among the devotees surrounding the fire with a great belief in Shiva.

It is also a tradition to ask for firewood in every house, chowk and monastery-temple and make prasad in the same fire along with singing bhajankirtan.

Where else are the center for Shiva pooja in Kathmandu?

Since this morning, the temples of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, Kumbheshwar in Lalitpur, Doleshwar in Bhaktapur and other temples have been thronged to worship Shiva. As today is the Nepali Army Day, the Nepali Army is also organizing a special Shivaratri ceremony in Tundikhel.