Maha Shivaratri (also known as “Night of the Shiva”) is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Hindus of Nepal and some parts of India. It is celebrated on the month of Magh (as per the Hindu lunar calendar), February 21st in this year 2020.
It is believed that this day is the most powerful day which helps raise a person’s spiritual energy in a different realm. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the night because it is the day when Lord Shiva performed the “Tandav”, the cosmic dance. On this day, hundreds of devotees and non-devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus. Pashupatinath is known as the Guardian and protector of the Kathmandu Valley and Nepal. It is also known as “Festival of Night”, locally where local Hindus make a big borne fire, do some puja before the celebration chanting “Om Namah Shivay” all night, use raw sugarcane, heat it in the big borne fire and smash on a rock to denote the fearless and victory over the evil and darkness. Many tourists also can be seen enjoying the ambiance with curiosity, as the ritual starts with such power.
As Maha Shivaratri is mainly related to the night, the devotees stay up all night and pray to Lord Shiva trying to make him happy and trying to get victory over their fear of darkness and evil. Gathering in a Shiva temple or chowks, or vacant ground, making big borne fire of large logs, staying all night, chanting Lord Shiva’s name, smashing heated sugarcane is one of the incredible way of celebrating the festival here in Nepal