Festival · Nepal
Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath
Nepal's great night of Shiva, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and sadhus fill the Pashupatinath complex.
Maha Shivaratri, the "great night of Shiva," is one of Nepal's most intense religious gatherings. Each year on the 14th night of the dark fortnight of Falgun — usually February or March — hundreds of thousands of devotees and several thousand sadhus (Hindu holy men) converge on the Pashupatinath temple complex in Kathmandu for an all-night vigil of fasting, prayer and devotion to Lord Shiva. It is one of the standout events in our Nepal festivals and events cluster for travellers in winter and early spring.
What Maha Shivaratri celebrates
Maha Shivaratri honours Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Devotees observe a day-long fast and a night-long vigil, believing that worship on this night brings blessings, forgiveness and spiritual liberation. Various legends attach to the night, including Shiva's cosmic dance and his marriage to Parvati. Offerings of bilva (bel) leaves, milk and water are made to the Shiva lingam through the night.
When it falls
The festival lands on the 14th night of the waning moon in the lunar month of Falgun, which in the Gregorian calendar usually means late February or early March. Like Nepal's other major festivals it moves each year — see the festival calendar of Nepal and our best time to visit Nepal guide to line up your dates.
Where it happens
The epicentre is Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in eastern Kathmandu — the holiest Shiva temple in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pilgrims travel from across Nepal and India, and sadhus arrive days early, camping in and around the temple grounds. Smaller Shiva temples nationwide also hold observances.
What travellers will see
Expect enormous crowds, long queues of devotees waiting to enter the main temple, and the riverside terraces alive with ash-smeared sadhus in saffron robes, dreadlocks and elaborate body paint. Bonfires burn through the cold night, devotional music fills the air, and the smoke of incense — and ritual cannabis among some sadhus — hangs over the complex. Note that non-Hindus cannot enter the inner temple, but the wider complex, the cremation ghats and the east bank of the Bagmati offer extraordinary views of the gathering.
Practical tips for visitors
- Go early or late — crowds peak in the evening and overnight; mornings are calmer for photography.
- Be respectful with sadhus; many expect a small donation if you photograph them up close, so ask first.
- Dress modestly and keep valuables secure in the dense crowds.
- Plan transport carefully, as roads around Pashupatinath are jammed — see getting around Nepal.
Maha Shivaratri pairs well with a spring trip that also catches Nepali New Year a few weeks later, making February–April a rich window for festival travellers in the Kathmandu Valley.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maha Shivaratri celebrated in Nepal?+
Maha Shivaratri, the 'great night of Shiva', falls on the 14th night of the dark fortnight in the lunar month of Falgun, usually in February or March. The exact Gregorian date shifts each year with the lunar calendar.
Where is the main Maha Shivaratri celebration?+
The largest celebration is at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, the most important Shiva temple in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather there, including thousands of sadhus from Nepal and India.
Can non-Hindus attend Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath?+
Non-Hindus cannot enter the main inner temple at Pashupatinath, but they can visit the wider riverside complex, watch the crowds, sadhus and rituals from the east bank of the Bagmati, and take in the atmosphere.
What do sadhus do at Maha Shivaratri?+
Sadhus — wandering Hindu holy men — gather in large numbers, smear themselves with ash, hold all-night vigils, perform austerities and smoke as a devotional practice. Many camp around the temple grounds for days before and after the festival.
