Maha Shivaratri 2027 at Pashupatinath: Date, What to Expect and Visitor Tips

Maha Shivaratri 2027 falls on Saturday 6 March, and on that day Pashupatinath Temple hosts one of the largest religious gatherings in South Asia. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims, and sadhus from across Nepal and India, come to Kathmandu for the great night of Lord Shiva. It is loud, smoky, crowded and unforgettable. Here is how to see it well, and safely.

What is Maha Shivaratri?

Shivaratri means the night of Shiva. It falls on the fourteenth night of the dark half of the month of Falgun, and devotees fast, stay awake through the night and worship Shiva, the destroyer and renewer in Hinduism. Pashupatinath, as Nepal's holiest Shiva temple, is the centre of the celebration.

What you will see at Pashupatinath

• Sadhus with ash-covered bodies and long matted hair, many arriving days before and camping in the temple grounds.
• Queues of devotees, often many hours long, waiting to enter the main temple.
• Bonfires lit along the river and in the courtyards as night falls, a tradition that also wards off the late-winter cold.
• Bells, drums, chanting and devotional music late into the night.
• Families making offerings of flowers, bel leaves and milk at the smaller shrines.

Some sadhus pose for photographs and ask for a donation in return. Agree first, and never photograph anyone without permission.

Watching Maha Shivaratri as a visitor

Only Hindus may enter the main temple, on Shivaratri as on every day. Visitors watch from the eastern riverbank and the terraces above it, which give a good view over the temple and the ghats. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee to the Pashupatinath area. On Shivaratri the crowds and security are much heavier than usual, so go with patience, follow the police's directions and keep your valuables close.

Nepal Army Day

Shivaratri is also Nepal Army Day, marked with a parade and ceremony in central Kathmandu. Some roads in the centre close for part of the day, so plan your route with your driver.

Practical tips

• Dress modestly and wear shoes you can easily take off and keep track of.
• Carry water, a light snack and small notes; queues and crowds move slowly.
• Stay with your group and agree a meeting point in case you are separated.
• Be respectful at the cremation ghats; they are real family funerals, even on festival days.
• Expect smoke from the bonfires. If you have asthma, keep your distance.
• Many people in the crowd smoke cannabis in the traditional way of Shiva devotees. Don't join in: it remains illegal for visitors.

Getting to Pashupatinath from Budhanilkantha

Pashupatinath is easy to reach from our homestay by car. On Shivaratri the roads around the temple are closed and congested, so expect to walk the last part. We can book a driver for the day and agree a pickup point. If you prefer a calmer visit, the evening aarti ceremony is held at Pashupatinath every day of the year.

Stay in Budhanilkantha

After a long, smoky day at Pashupatinath, a quiet bed in the hills is welcome. Sacred Trails has en-suite rooms from $35 a night with breakfast, hot water around the clock and a rooftop over the valley. And on a calmer day, Budhanilkantha Temple and its Sleeping Vishnu are a short walk from the house.

Book direct and offers combine: 5% off stays of 3 nights or more (6% for 7 nights or more), 5% off when you book 14 or more days ahead (6% for 30 or more days), and an extra 1% in big festival months. The booking form adds every offer you qualify for.