Maha Shivaratri is a very significant festival according to Hindu mythology and also know as the Night of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The festival typically falls in the month of February or March, depending on the lunar calendar.
Maha Shivaratri is the favorite festival of the devotees of Lord Shiva, who is also known as ‘Mahadeva’. This day is also called ‘Shivaratri’. It is said that Mata Parvati was married to Lord Shiva on this very special day.
Hindus celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri every year which lies between February and March every year. On this day, goddess Parvati was married to lord Shiva.
Why Shivaratri is Celebrated?
It is believed that Lord Shiva blesses his devotees on this day easily. That is why, people pray, fast all day on this day, and also do jagaran at night in temples and chant mantras like ‘Om Namah Shivaya’; Bom Bom Bhole, and Maha Mrityunjaya mantra.
Lord Shiva is also called Neela Kantha. It is believed that Lord Shiva saved the world by consuming poison that came from the Samundra Manthan.
Maha Shivaratri in Kathmandu, Nepal.
In Nepal, the festival is observed with great devotion and enthusiasm. Many people observe fasts throughout the day and night, offer prayers, and perform puja to Lord Shiva.
In Nepal, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on a large scale, especially in Pashupati Temple, one of the main temples of Lord Shiva. Thousand and more people from many parts of the country and even from India come here to worship Lord Shiva every Maha Shivratri.
The festival is also significant culturally, as it brings together people from different communities to celebrate and share in the traditional customs and rituals associated with the festival. Many communities also perform traditional dances and music as part of the celebrations.
You can find a number of Shadus at Pashupati Temple premises on this festival praying, smoking ganja, and saying mantras. They come here to worship Lord Shiva from different parts of India.
Har Har Mahadev, Bom Bom Bhole, Om Nama Shivaya.