Pashupatinath Shivaratri Mela

पशुपतिनाथ शिवरात्रि मेला

View on map
Religious & SpiritualKathmandu/Pashupatinath
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimagePashupatinath is one of the most important
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Pashupatinath Shivaratri Mela in Kathmandu/Pashupatinath

Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is Nepal's largest Shiva festival, drawing an estimated 800,000 devotees and around 4,000 sadhus, including naga sadhus, from Nepal and India. The overnight observance centers on darshan of the Pashupatinath lingam, fasting, and all-night vigils marking Shiva's cosmic dance and, in some tellings, his marriage to Parvati.

Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, is observed across the Hindu world on the fourteenth night of the dark lunar fortnight in the month of Phalguna, but no single site draws quite the same concentration of ascetic tradition as Pashupatinath.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Pashupatinath is one of the most important Shiva temples in the world, and Shivaratri here draws sadhus, wandering ascetics who otherwise live outside conventional society, from across the Indian subcontinent, many camping for days in the temple grounds beforehand

02

The mystery stays covered

Naga sadhus, recognizable by ash-covered bodies and matted hair, perform fire rituals, chant Har Har Mahadev and bless devotees with peacock feathers, turning the temple complex into a rare, concentrated gathering of India and Nepal's ascetic traditions

03

The city starts moving

The Pashupati Area Development Trust manages the enormous crowds with staggered entry from around 2 a

04

The water draws everyone in

, dedicated queues, and temporary skywalks and footbridges, logistics built specifically around this one night each year

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

the great night of Shiva

Water and renewal

Living ritual

is observed with fasting

The sacred route

Living ritual

an all-night vigil and worship at four intervals through the night

The local code

Living ritual

commemorating both Shiva's tandava

Tradition 5

Living ritual

his cosmic dance of creation and destruction

Tradition 6

Living ritual

in some tellings

Tradition 7

Living ritual

his marriage to Parvati

Tradition 8

Living ritual

At Pashupatinath specifically

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Conservative, modest clothing is expected, covering shoulders and legs, with head covering appreciated though not mandatory for most visitors. Warm layers are essential, since Shivaratri...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.71 N, 85.35 EOpen in Google Maps

Kathmandu/Pashupatinath, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kathmandu/Pashupatinath via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kathmandu/Pashupatinath, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearConservative, modest clothing is expected, covering shoulders and legs, with head covering appreciated though not mandatory for most visitors. Warm layers are essential, since Shivaratri falls in February when Kathmandu nights are cold and many devotees stay outdoors until sunrise. Footwear must be removed before entering shrine areas.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pashupatinath Shivaratri Mela?

Pashupatinath Shivaratri Mela is listed for Past edition: 15 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pashupatinath Shivaratri Mela take place?

The festival is listed in Kathmandu/Pashupatinath, Nepal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kathmandu/Pashupatinath, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLruggedtrailsnepal.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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