The religious ‘Maha Shivaratri’ Festival, one of the most important festivals of the Hindus, falls on February 12, 2010. ‘Maha Shivaratri’ marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the divine art form known as ‘Tandava’, a dance performed by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is also believed that Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati on this day. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva’s Tandava is a vigorous dance signifying the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Devotees from as far as India come to Nepal for this festival and line up with other devotees in front of Shiva temples throughout the nation, particularly the famous Pashupatinath temple, to pay their homage to Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction. Even tourists can be seen in the vicinity of the temples reveling in the celebrations. This day is also very popular among the young and old alike. ‘Sadhus’, ‘Babas’, the locals as well as tourists are seen smoking marijuana on this day.

Lord Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of Shiva Linga, and on the auspicious occasion of ‘Shiva Ratri’, devotees worship it by offering bael leaves, milk, curd, honey, flowers, fruits etc. Most of the devotees hold an all-night vigil and austerely fast all-day, some without even drinking water. The devotees also chant hyms like ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and other Vedic Stotras dedicated to Lord Shiva throughout the day.

It is believed that this festival summons the summer and supposedly after this day, the weather becomes warmer, heralding the summer season!