Maha Shivaratri (15 February 2026) is a religious festival celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva. Thousands of people from Nepal and across the world will visit the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to pay their respects to Shiva.In Hinduism, Shiva is regarded as the ultimate yogi.

He is the deity who destroys everything evil and is a transformative force related to all three phases of existence (birth, death and rebirth). In order to worship Shiva on Maha Shivaratri, people will fast and participate in trance or meditative forms of worship as well as other forms of worship throughout the night.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated for the many mythological events associated with it, for the spiritual benefits of worshipping Shiva and for the rituals involved in worshipping him. The information provided on this website contains information about the festival and includes a description of what Maha Shivaratri is (The Great Night of Shiva) and the date it falls on (Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi 14th day of waning moon phase, February-March in Falgun).

While for followers of Lord Shiva the meaning of this night is very important, on Maha Shivratri, these followers will celebrate:

Light overcoming darkness
Knowledge overcoming ignorance
Self-control over desire
The awakening of the soul through spiritual realization
The destruction of all darkness

Maha Shivratri is also the most spiritually important night of the year for Hindu devotees to Lord Shiva and all other followers of God.

Legends That Exist To Explain Maha Shivratri

There are many reasons why Maha Shivratri is important to Hindus and many legends/stories exist about it dating back many centuries. Many records exist regarding what took place the night before Maha Shivratri.

1. The Marriage Of God Shiva And Goddess Parvati

Hindus observe the night of Maha Shivratri as an important day every year, and some believe that it is also the anniversary of when God Shiva married Goddess Parvati. This was a result of Parvati's performing many years of penance (tapasya) and proving her purity through her love for Shiva.

2. The Night of Shiva’s Cosmic Dance (Tandava)

The second story involves another version of the story of how Lord Shiva danced the Tandava (or cosmic) dance on the night of Shivaratri. Each dancer makes an effort to create a cycle of life: creating the universe; preserving the universe (keeping it alive); destroying what is not beneficial for the univers and to give rise to something new. In the end, the story of Lord Shiva's Tandava shows that there is a purpose to every act of destruction; without acts of destruction, there is no act of creating the new life or new beginning, and thus, these acts happen on a continual basis (as in the changing seasons) as long as the cycle of life continues (as illustrated by Lord Shiva's rasleela).

3. The Story of Samudra Manthan and Neelkantha

During samudra manthan, the universe was in grave peril because of a poisonous liquid called "Halahala" that was produced during the churning of the ocean of the cosmos, causing great anxiety for the universe. To save all living things from the effects of this poison, Lord Shiva drank it and held it in his throat, which caused him to acquire his blue throat.

Maha Shivaratri represents the highest offering of all for the following:

• Protection of all

• Selfless love

• Courage

• Transformative power

Maha Shivaratri is one of Nepal's largest and most important religious festivals within the calendar year.

Maha Shivaratri in Nepal: National & Religious Significance

1. The origin of Maha Shivaratri is rooted in mythological events that took place during the Churning of the Ocean (or Madhu Kaitabh's Ocean) also known as The Ocean of Milk.

2. There are estimated to be over one million visitors anticipated to visit the temple; It is common for people to arrive at the temple by 5 AM to avoid long lines to enter.

3. There will be all night long ceremonial bathing (i.e., also referred to as abhisheks) at the temple.

4. Devotees will chant the "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra while praying to Lord Shiva during the night of Maha Shivaratri.

5. There will be numerous Sadhu's who will arrive from both Nepal and the surrounding countries to worship at this festival.

On Maha Shivaratri, the Pashupatinath Temple will be a very special place, having a unique feeling; incense will be everywhere, with the ringing of bells sounding continuously, and devotional songs being sung throughout the temple complex.

Maha Shivaratri is a public holiday in honour of the festival which the Government of Nepal has recognized and/or endorses. The best time to offer puja is at Nishita (midnight).

This most powerful period of the whole 24 hours concerning God Shiva is at Nishita; it is a great time of peace or tranquillity as well as when one has the greatest connection with the Spiritual Realm.

Rituals and Traditions of Maha Shivaratri

The festival of Maha-Shivaratri is celebrated with utmost faith, discipline, and devotion by all devotees of Lord Shiva.

Fasting

Fasting(Brata) is part of observing Maha-Shivaratri and there are various types of fasting; they are as follows:

Nirjal (no food or drink)
Vegetable (no food, but milk and water)
Only fruit (no food, but milk and water)
One meal after sunset.

The fasts cleanse the devotee and renew their minds to facilitate the devotee's focused prayers and meditations.

Abhishek of Lord Shiva

The items that may be used in this ceremony include:

Water,
Milk,
Honey,
Curd,
Ghee,
Sugar,
Bel Patra (leaves of Bael Tree),
Datura flowers.

The reason for these offerings are as follows:

Milk represents purity.
Honey represents the sweetness of life through devotion to God.
Water represents purification.
Bel Patra represents surrendering to God (Universe).

Chanting Powerful Mantras

People who stay awake all night for worship and other activities, such as chanting mantras, have spiritual benefits such as being more aware of the world around them (awareness) and having a discipline (discipline). Also, those who stay awake will be free from the curse of ignorance because they were able to conquer that through staying awake.

Spiritual Significance of Maha Shivaratri

During the night, many of the mantras (the most popular being "Om Namah Shivaya") are repeated numerous times. The main reason behind chanting this mantra is to get rid of karma, get yourself some peace within your mind and focus on your daily life, and become a lighter being spiritually.

There is a lot of spiritual benefit and significance to the rituals of Maha Shivaratri; it is an opportunity for anyone looking to deepen their spirituality. There is an abundance of cosmic energy on this night which is of great benefit to anyone that is practicing some form of meditation, and is the most applicable time for any yogi/spiritual practitioner to go within and:

Meditate deeply
Releasetheir ego
Cleanse their spirit
Awaken their consciousness

The union of Shiva with Shakti during Shivaratri is the ultimate expression of the union of these two forms of energy, bringing balance between them.

Cultural Aspects of Shivaratri in Nepal

Maha Shivaratri has not only cultural importance as a day of worship and devotion, but also cultural value for the people of Nepal.

Saadhus display unique traditions and appearances.

Devotional music programs are organized.
Markets near temples become vibrant.
Families gather for prayers.
The bamboo-pole-swing tradition forms a part of the pilgrimage.
The festival is a convergence of spiritual, cultural and community gathering.

Shivaratri Fasting and its health benefits

There are some benefits of celebrating Maha Shivartri that believers think can be good for the body and soul of devotee.

Mental clarity
Emotional stability
Relief from stress
Spiritual upliftment
Marriage, family peace and harmony blessings
Removal of past karmic burdens

Fasting is also good for the digestive system. It can have some well-deserved time off which helps maintain or develop a healthy digestive system.

How to Observe Maha Shivaratri at Home

If you can’t make it to Pashupatinath or any other temples, you can celebrate in your own home:

Get up with the sun and bathe.
Clean your prayer area.
Keep a Shiva Lingam or picture of Lord Shiva.
Provide milk, water and Bel patta leaves.
Light a diya and incense.
Chant “Om Namah Shivaya.”
Meditate at midnight.
There is power in even simple devotion if multiplied by sincerity.
Even simple devotion is powerful if done with sincerity.

Maha Shivaratri for Youth & Modern Devotees

Today’s younger generation in Nepal celebrates Shivaratri in both traditional and modern ways:

Visiting temples with friends
Participating in bhajan programs
Posting devotionals on social media
Learning about yogic philosophy
Practicing meditation
The festival remains a cross-generational blast.
Environmental Awareness During Shivaratri
With huge masses of Pashupatinath’s followers, eco-awareness is fundamental.

hindu-priests-perform-aarati-maha-shivratri-festival-shiva-pashupatinath-temple-kathmandu-nepal.webp

Devotees are encouraged to:

Avoid plastic waste
Maintain temple cleanliness
Respect sacred spaces
Follow government guidelines
If sacred sites are protected the celebrations can continue into future generations.

Conclusion

The occasion of Mahashivratri symbolizes a period of transition or change; it also has a connection with personal transformation. Destruction must occur prior to any creation and one's faith in God goes beyond our physical lives and allows us to go beyond this life forever.

May Lord Shiva provide you all with His Blessing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is Maha Shivaratri 2026?

It is going to be observed on 7th February 2026.

Why is it named the Great Night of Shiva?

As it is believed to be the most spiritually significant night for Lord Shiva.

Is Maha Shivaratri a public holiday in NEPAL?

Yes, it's a national public holiday in effect.

Is it possible for a non-Hindu to go to Pashupatinath during Shivaratri?

Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the temple complex, but not the main sanctum.

What not to eat while fasting on Shivaratri?

We would be serious here for a week and no grains, onion or garlic while keeping off alcohol and non-vegetarian food.

Travel Journal