Maha Shivaratri festival in Nepal

Maha Shivaratri is a greatest festival of Hindu religion. According to Nepali calendar 2071, this festival is in the month of Falgun, 5, and the day lies on the basis of English calendar 2015 on the month of February 17. Maha Shivaratri, a night of Shiva, a Hindu deity is celebrated by Hinduism throughout the country in commemoration of saving the world.

There are many mythology connected with celebration of Lord Shiva in this day. One of them, a legend describes the significant of worshipping this festival. A poison evoked from ocean, this made a horrified situation among the Gods and Demons as the poison could destroy easily the world. Thus all Gods and Demons went to Shiva for help to protect the world. Shiva consumed the deadly poison as a result it made his throat blue. Then after Shiva was called by the name of Neelakantha, the blue-throated one. That's way, this event led to the celebration of Shivaratri in remembrance of his power and protection of earth from destruction.

The most popular celebration of Maha Shivaratri in Nepal takes place in the greatest Hindu temple, Pashupatinath located in Kathmandu with presence of thousands of devotees along with fasting. Numerous of Sadhu in this day at Pashupatinath can be observed. It is celebrated to worship the Hindu Lord Shiva.

The state president, Rambaran Yadav, vice president Parmand Jha, prime minister Susil Koirala and among other ministry will also come to pashupatinath to worship in this day. The government announces the day of Shivaratri as a national holiday.

Kathmandu's Pashupatinath is decorated with different sorts of colorful light. Fasting devotees recite the story of lord Shiva during day. Devotees pledge strong self determination throughout the fasting and wish blessing from God Shiva for fulfilling of their dream without any interference. After completing fast, devotees take Prasad offered to Shiva. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva in this day blesses one with happiness and prosperity.

Media like national television, radio etc show live broadcasting about worship festival activities from Pashupatinath whole day. Devotees are busy in rituals performance in the Pashupatinath temple. The large numbers of volunteers are appointed for well managing of devotees queue to make safe and spontaneous entry and exist inside temple worship.