# Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath: The Great Night of Shiva

_Published 15 August 2026_

For one night each year, Pashupatinath becomes the centre of the Hindu world. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, including sadhus from across South Asia, gather to honour Shiva on **Maha Shivaratri**.

**Quick answer:** Maha Shivaratri falls in **February or March**, on the night before the new moon in the month of Falgun. Pilgrims queue for hours to worship at [Pashupatinath](/places/pashupatinath-temple), sadhus gather around fires, and many people stay up all night. It is a **public holiday**.

## What happens

- Long queues of devotees to the main temple from before dawn.
- Sadhus with ash-covered bodies camp around the temple complex.
- Fires are lit across Kathmandu to keep warm through the night.
- Children sometimes set up playful "toll" ropes to collect small coins.

## Tips for visitors

- Expect very large crowds and traffic around Pashupatinath.
- Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple; view the festivities from the wider complex.
- Keep valuables secure and stay with your group.
- Ask before photographing sadhus; many expect a donation.

See our [Pashupatinath guide](/blog/visiting-pashupatinath-guide) and [festivals of Nepal](/blog/festivals-of-nepal).

## Maha Shivaratri at a glance

DetailMeaning"The great night of Shiva"WhenThe 14th night of the dark fortnight of Falgun, usually February or MarchMain venue[Pashupatinath](/places/pashupatinath-temple), KathmanduPilgrimsHundreds of thousands, from Nepal and IndiaAlsoNepal Army Day, with a parade in KathmanduPublic holidayYes## The legends of Shivaratri

Several stories explain the festival. One says that this is the night Shiva performed the **tandava**, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. Another says it marks the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. A popular tale tells of a hunter who, lost in the forest at night, climbed a bael tree to escape wild animals and, unable to sleep, dropped bael leaves one by one onto a Shiva lingam below, unknowingly worshipping Shiva all night, and was granted liberation. This is why devotees stay awake and offer bael leaves to Shiva on this night. Another legend links the festival to Shiva drinking the poison churned from the cosmic ocean to save the world.

## The sadhus

In the days before Shivaratri, thousands of **sadhus**, Hindu ascetics, arrive at Pashupatinath from across Nepal and India, many walking for weeks. They camp in the forests and courtyards around the temple, sitting beside fires (dhuni), meditating, chanting and receiving visitors. Some are covered in ash, with long dreadlocks and few or no clothes; others wear saffron robes. Some belong to ascetic orders such as the Naga sadhus. The government traditionally provides them with food and shelter during the festival. Visitors can watch respectfully, but should ask before taking photos, and expect to give a small donation. Cannabis, considered sacred to Shiva, is traditionally smoked by some sadhus during the festival, though it is illegal in Nepal for others. See [visiting Pashupatinath](/blog/visiting-pashupatinath-guide).

## A day and night at Pashupatinath

TimeWhat happensBefore dawnQueues of devotees begin to form, often stretching for kilometresMorningDevotees bathe in the Bagmati and wait to enter the temple to worship ShivaMiddaySadhus receive visitors around their fires; the complex fills with pilgrims and musicEveningThe aarati ceremony by the river; fires are lit across KathmanduNightDevotees stay awake, singing devotional songs (bhajans), with prayers through the four watches of the night## Shivaratri across Nepal

While Pashupatinath is the centre, Shivaratri is celebrated at Shiva temples throughout Nepal: at Halesi Mahadev in the east, at Doleshwor Mahadev near Bhaktapur, at Kumbheshwar in Patan, and at countless local shrines. In villages, people light bonfires, fast and gather at temples. Children set up ropes across streets to stop vehicles and collect small donations for bonfire wood, a playful tradition. In the Kathmandu Valley, the festival marks the end of the coldest part of winter. See [Halesi Mahadev](/blog/halesi-mahadev-guide).

## Nepal Army Day

Maha Shivaratri is also celebrated as Nepal Army Day, with a parade at Tundikhel in central Kathmandu, attended by government leaders. The tradition dates back to the time of the Shah kings. Roads around Tundikhel may be closed in the morning.

## Practical tips in more detail

- Arrive very early, or visit on the days before Shivaratri, when sadhus are already present but crowds are smaller.
- Expect road closures and heavy traffic around Pashupatinath; walk the last part.
- Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple; enjoy the atmosphere around the complex and the east bank.
- Dress modestly and warmly; nights in February and March are cold.
- Carry small notes for donations, and keep valuables secure in the crowds.
- Be cautious of smoke from fires and stay with your group.

## Fasting and worship

Many devotees fast on Shivaratri, eating only fruit and milk, or nothing at all, until the next morning. They visit Shiva temples to offer milk, water, bael leaves, flowers, fruit and sweets to the lingam, and chant **"Om Namah Shivaya"**. Some stay awake all night, praying through the four watches (prahar) of the night. In homes, families make offerings at their own shrines and gather to sing devotional songs.

## Photography tips

Shivaratri is one of the most photogenic festivals in Nepal, with sadhus, fires, lamps and crowds. Respect is essential: ask before photographing sadhus and devotees, give a small donation where expected, and never photograph inside the temple or at the cremation ghats near mourners. The best light is early morning and late afternoon. Keep your gear secure in the crowds. See [photography tips](/blog/himalaya-photography-tips).

## Combining Shivaratri with your trip

Maha Shivaratri falls in February or March, when the Kathmandu Valley is dry and clear and the spring trekking season is beginning. It combines well with Holi, which often falls a couple of weeks later, and with treks such as Poon Hill, where rhododendrons start to bloom. See [Holi](/blog/holi-festival-nepal) and [Nepal in February](/blog/nepal-in-february).

## Shiva in Nepal

Shiva holds a special place in Nepal, where he is honoured as Pashupati, "lord of the animals" and protector of the nation. Pashupatinath has been a centre of Shiva worship for well over a thousand years, and the Shah kings considered themselves devotees of Pashupati. Across Nepal, Shiva is worshipped in many forms: as the ascetic yogi in the mountains, at Gosainkunda lake, which legend says he created with his trident; as Mahadev in village shrines; and as fierce Bhairav in the Kathmandu Valley. See [Hindu gods](/blog/hindu-gods-guide-for-travellers) and [Gosainkunda](/blog/gosainkunda-lake-trek-guide).

## Etiquette reminders

- Remove shoes where devotees do, and dress modestly.
- Don't touch offerings, sadhus' belongings or sacred fires.
- Don't block queues or walk through prayer areas.
- Be patient: crowds are enormous, and the atmosphere is intensely devotional.

## What to bring

- Warm layers: February and March nights in Kathmandu are cold.
- Comfortable shoes you can remove easily.
- Small notes for donations and food stalls.
- Water and snacks, as queues and crowds are long.
- A scarf or mask for the smoke from fires.

## Frequently asked questions
### When is Maha Shivaratri?
In February or March.

### Where is the biggest celebration in Nepal?
At **Pashupatinath** in Kathmandu.

### Who are the sadhus?
Hindu holy men who gather for the festival.

### Can foreigners attend?
Yes, but non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple.

### Why do devotees stay awake on Shivaratri?
To honour Shiva through the night, recalling legends such as the hunter who unknowingly worshipped Shiva all night.

### What is Nepal Army Day?
A parade at Tundikhel on Maha Shivaratri, celebrating the Nepal Army.

### Where else is Shivaratri celebrated?
At Shiva temples across Nepal, including Halesi Mahadev, Doleshwor and Kumbheshwar.

### Is cannabis legal at Shivaratri?
It is traditionally used by some sadhus, but it is illegal for others in Nepal.

### When should I visit Pashupatinath for Shivaratri?
Early in the morning or in the days before, when sadhus are present but crowds are smaller.

### What do devotees offer to Shiva?
Milk, water, bael leaves, flowers, fruit and sweets, chanting "Om Namah Shivaya".

### Does Shivaratri fall near Holi?
Often, Holi follows a couple of weeks later.

### Why is Shiva called Pashupati?
It means "lord of the animals", the form in which he is worshipped at Pashupatinath.

### Is Gosainkunda linked to Shiva?
Yes. Legend says Shiva created the lake with his trident.

### What is the tandava?
Shiva's cosmic dance of creation and destruction, linked to Shivaratri in some legends.

### Why do people light fires on Shivaratri?
To keep warm through the night and as part of the celebrations; it marks the end of the coldest winter period.

### How do I reach Pashupatinath on Shivaratri?
By taxi as far as traffic allows, then on foot; roads near the temple are crowded or closed.

### Can tourists stay all night at Pashupatinath on Shivaratri?
You can stay in the open areas around the complex, but it is crowded and cold; most visitors come in the day or evening.

### Are there sadhus at Pashupatinath outside Shivaratri?
A few are present year-round, but thousands come for the festival.

### What is a dhuni?
The sacred fire around which sadhus sit and meditate.

### Is Shivaratri safe for tourists?
Yes, with care: crowds are huge, so keep valuables secure and stay with your group.

### Do Nepalis fast on Shivaratri?
Many do, eating only fruit and milk or nothing until the next morning.

### What does "Om Namah Shivaya" mean?
A mantra meaning roughly "I bow to Shiva".


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/maha-shivaratri-nepal