Kathmandu: The Mahashivaratri festival, celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, is being observed across Nepal today with ritualistic worship, fasting, and night-long vigils in Shiva temples nationwide.

Falling on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the festival is regarded as the most auspicious night to worship Lord Shiva, as per religious scriptures. According to Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a religious scholar, it is believed that Brahma assumed the form of Shiva at midnight on this day, and devotees who worship and seek blessings at this sacred hour attain peace in this world and salvation in the next.

Since early morning, Hindu devotees have been bathing in rivers, ponds, and lakes before visiting Shiva temples to offer prayers, milk, dhatura, and bel leaves, which are considered dear to Lord Shiva. The festival, mentioned in the Shiva Purana, is one of the four sacred nights—Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukhratri, and Shivaratri.

Mahashivaratri is also linked to the natural cycle of renewal, as trees and plants that decay in Magh begin to grow in Falgun, symbolizing the destructive and regenerative aspects of Lord Shiva.

Fasting is a significant part of this festival, and devotees believe that staying awake throughout the night brings divine blessings and eliminates the fear of the afterlife (Yamalok). Across Nepal, bonfires (Dhuni) are lit in homes, streets, and monasteries, where devotees gather to sing bhajans and kirtans while preparing prasad.

The festival is being observed with grand celebrations at Pashupatinath Temple, where thousands of devotees, including sadhus from India and Nepal, have gathered to pay homage to Lord Shiva.