KATHMANDU, NEPAL, March 7, 2005: (HPI note: Mahasivaratri is being celebrated by Hindus all over the world tomorrow, but no doubt Nepal has a special place in the tradition with its Pasupatinath Temple. The events here are similar–though more spectacular–to what is done at all Siva temples.)
Among the numerous festivals of Nepal, Maha Sivaratrai is worthy to note in the cultural aspect of Nepal, which is to be celebrated on 8 March–Tuesday this year. There are many festivals held in honor of the Hindu God Siva every year, but the most important is Maha Sivaratri, the Great Night of Lord Siva. Hindu devotees on this night throng Siva shrines everywhere, but the grandest of all activities revolve around Pashupatinath temple located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River about three kilometers east of downtown Kathmandu. This all-night vigil and the exciting crowded festival days before and after attract thousands of people from India and Nepal. Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to Lord Siva in the form of Pashupati, Lord of the Animals, who protect and care for all men.
The large pagoda temple, open only to Hindus, stands above broad stone platforms at the river’s edge – the ghats, where the dead are burned. All around are small shrines, temples and pavilions where yogis and priests talk, relax, chant prayers and meditate. The days before and after Siva’s night are like a mela, or religious fair, at its best. People fill the roads around Pashupati Temple – holy men, beggars, Indian pilgrims, children and gawking tourists. Vendors of red tika powder, sacred rudraksha beads do a rousing business. On the occasion, pilgrims and sadhus from all around the country and from India visit the Pashupatinath temple and spend the night lightning sacred fires, singing praises of the Deity, and keeping a constant vigil to greet his descent to earth on the grassy hills around the temple to enjoy the warmth of good companionship and chatting around.
At midnight Sivaratri officially begins with priests making offerings inside the temple. Throughout the night, devotees take a holy dip in the sacred Bagmati River and bring holy water in their cupped palms to offer it to the stone Sivalingam enshrined in the splendid temple and throw flowers. In the morning priests start the recitation of sacred texts, continuing until about noon, when the chanting of sacred songs begins. This is a favorite time, for some of the finest tabla and sitar musicians, of course, from India and Nepal come to make musical offerings to Lord Siva.
For visitors, Sivaratri offers a fascinating look at the Hindu sacred men – yogis or sadhus. Smeared with ash, with minds focused far from the everyday concerns of the world, they can be seen sitting quietly in small groups. These ascetics, naked with no sense of shame, have mastered cold and heat, hunger and sensual desire. These wanderers, thin but powerful, with fierce intelligent eyes, live a life detached, seeking union with Lord Siva.
Temple priests in ochre coloured robes perform elaborate ceremonies and offerings to Lord Siva. They devote their lives to chanting the holy scriptures, performing wedding ceremonies, presiding over cremations, looking after temples, and caring for the spiritual needs of all Hindus.
The Himalayan Kingdom Nepal is rich in scenic nature to diverse culture. Thus, the foreigners would like to say “Every other building is a temple; every other day is a festival (in Nepal)”. Thus, every country’s cultural heritage needs to be made known to the world which would help in sharing of the cultural borrowings made possible.
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