Nepali Hindu devotees celebrate Maha Shivratri at Pashupatinath Mandir in Kathmandu
Nepali Hindu devotees on March 8, continued to throng the Pashupatinath Mandir in the capital Kathmandu, observing the great festival of Maha Shivratri. Since early morning, Hindu devotees have been gathering in nearby rivers, ponds and temples to worship Bhagwan Shiva.
Shivratri celebrates the grand marriage of Bhagwan Shiva with the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty – Parvati, who is also known as Shakti. Maha Shivaratri marks the convergence of ‘Shiva’ and ‘Shakti’ and also celebrates the night when Bhagwan Shiva performed the ‘Tandav’–the cosmic dance.
Shivratri is one of the four nights known as Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri and Shivratri. Dhruba Raj Pandey, one of the devotees, said that among the four nights (ratri), Shivratri is the major one.
“There are four Ratri (nights)- Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri and Shivratri. The major amongst these is Shivaratri. It is believed that Lord Shiva at the time of the cataclysm played Damaru and made this Maha Shivaratri, it has been observed for ages,” Pandey told media.
Shivaratri, which is being observed today by Hindus in various countries, including Nepal and India, has been regarded as one of the greatest festivals in the Hindu holy scriptures–the Puranas.
This day is celebrated in the lunar month of Falgun and is believed to instill faith in those destined to live in trouble. The Skanda Purana, another holy text of the Hindus, has also mentioned the significance of Shivratri.
Another devotee, Dil Bahadur, said, “On the night of Shivratri, Bhagwan Shiva is worshipped following rituals and is also offered and showered with milk. Bhagwan Shiva protects us, brings peace to the family, and gives us power, we follow that belief.”
“Maha Shivratri,” known as the night of Bhagwan Shiva, is observed with great fervour in Nepal as well as in India and other Hindu-populated countries.
Generally, the day of Maha Shivratri falls on every 13th night or 14th day of the lunisolar month, according to the Lunar Calendar. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimal positions to help raise a person’s spiritual energy.
(with inputs from ANI)
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