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Festivals of Nepal

Shivaratri - One of the most important festivals, an homage to Shiva-Mahadev.

Pashupatinath temple area

That happens: Many days before, thousands of pilgrims, from the far-away districts and from India, arrive on foot or by bus and gather around Pashupatinath, where special arrangements have to be made to avoid disorder and secure medical care. Many of these pilgrims spend the night in the open, covering themselves with any kind of quilt. Some may find a shelter at some "pati" built for the purpose. They do not bother about the rhesus monkeys who object, sometimes noisily and even aggressively, against the invasion of these "bipeds" on their hilly abode.

All those who proceed to Pashupatinath will perform their ritual ablutions in the holy waters of the Bagmati and pay homage to the many Shiva-Lingams erected in the temple's area. Among the devotees, many different sadhus (wise men and mendicants) most of them from India, may be seen.

Many of these "sadhus" are more than half naked, their body being covered with layers of dirty ashes and their hairdo is simply amazing. Their appearance and behavior is not only meant to impress everybody that they have overcome all material desires and ambitions but also because they expect to harvest many alms.

Before nightfall, His Majesty the King and his entourage also visit Pashupatinath to pay homage to Shiva, the tutelary deity which He invokes always when concluding His official messages and speeches: "May Lord Pashupatinath protect our Country".

Processions, bathing and incantations continue throughout the night while more and more candles, oil-lamps and incense-wicks sparkle in the dark.

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