Pashupatinath - Shiva Ratri Festival
|
|
As many as 100,000 pilgrims arrive in Pashupatinath for Shiva Ratri the sacred lingam is the focus of night-long devotion at Shiva's shrine.
The festival is held on the fourteenth day of the new moon in early March. Shiva's pilgrim followers pour in by bus or on foot, mainly from India but also from other parts of Nepal. Having fasted for the previous 24 hours they wait patiently in long queues at the temple to make their offerings to the lingam. The poorer among them may give just a few drops of holy water and some margosa leaves while the rich shower the lingam with expensive gifts. Everyone, rich or poor, receives a symbolic blessing in the form of prasad.
Nepal's royal family arrive in the evening to make obeisance before the lingam. The pilgrims maintain their vigil throughout the night; drums and flutes play and Shiva's 1008 different names are chanted. The aroma of incense and the smell of ganja hang heavy in the air. Ganja (cannabis) being Shiva's favorite herb, the sadhus draw at their chillums in the god's honor with many a "bom shankar". Pashupatinath's numerous lingams are doused with holy water and covered with flowers. Ritual ablutions are perfumed and yogis demonstrate their abnormal powers.
The festival is held on the fourteenth day of the new moon in early March. Shiva's pilgrim followers pour in by bus or on foot, mainly from India but also from other parts of Nepal. Having fasted for the previous 24 hours they wait patiently in long queues at the temple to make their offerings to the lingam. The poorer among them may give just a few drops of holy water and some margosa leaves while the rich shower the lingam with expensive gifts. Everyone, rich or poor, receives a symbolic blessing in the form of prasad.
Nepal's royal family arrive in the evening to make obeisance before the lingam. The pilgrims maintain their vigil throughout the night; drums and flutes play and Shiva's 1008 different names are chanted. The aroma of incense and the smell of ganja hang heavy in the air. Ganja (cannabis) being Shiva's favorite herb, the sadhus draw at their chillums in the god's honor with many a "bom shankar". Pashupatinath's numerous lingams are doused with holy water and covered with flowers. Ritual ablutions are perfumed and yogis demonstrate their abnormal powers.
Read More
