Maha Shivaratri Nepal

महाशिवरात्रि

View on map
Religious & SpiritualPashupatinath/Kathmandu
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdVery Small300
Best forCeremony, pilgrimagePashupatinath's Maha Shivaratri is among the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Maha Shivaratri Nepal in Pashupatinath/Kathmandu

Maha Shivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva, draws hundreds of thousands of devotees and sadhus to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal's holiest Shiva shrine. Devotees fast, keep an all-night vigil, and light bonfires, while wandering ascetics travel from across Nepal and India to gather at the temple.

Maha Shivaratri Nepal matters because it turns identity into something shared in public. You do not just learn about Nepal; you stand inside one of the ways people there remember, celebrate, compete, mourn, or make joy together.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Pashupatinath's Maha Shivaratri is among the largest single religious gatherings in Nepal, drawing not only ordinary devotees but thousands of sadhus, wandering Hindu ascetics recognizable by their matted hair, ash-covered bodies, and minimal possessions, many of whom travel from India specifically for this night and camp within the temple complex for days around it

02

The mystery stays covered

The scale and intensity of devotion, an all-night vigil observed by many without sleep, combined with the visual spectacle of the sadhus themselves, some willing to be photographed for a small donation, gives the night at Pashupatinath a concentration of ritual life rarely matched elsewhere in the Kathmandu Valley

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The night commemorates Shiva in his form as an ascetic

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with devotees observing a strict fast

The sacred route

Living ritual

keeping vigil through the night in prayer and meditation

The local code

Living ritual

and offering bilva leaves

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and water to Shiva lingams at temples nationwide

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Pashupatinath

Tradition 7

Living ritual

as the country's most important Shiva temple and a major pilgrimage site for Hindus across South Asia

Tradition 8

Living ritual

draws particular devotion on this night

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

Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, given this is one of Nepal's most sacred and heavily attended religious sites; warm layers are advisable since the vigil extends through a cold...

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

Pashupatinath/Kathmandu, Nationwide, 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 Pashupatinath/Kathmandu via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Pashupatinath/Kathmandu, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearModest clothing covering shoulders and knees, given this is one of Nepal's most sacred and heavily attended religious sites; warm layers are advisable since the vigil extends through a cold February or March night, and comfortable shoes matter given the amount of standing and walking involved.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 Maha Shivaratri Nepal?

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

Where does Maha Shivaratri Nepal take place?

The festival is listed in Pashupatinath/Kathmandu, 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?

Pashupatinath/Kathmandu, Nationwide, Nepal

How big is it?

Very Small: 300

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