Something ancient, alive, and deeply human.
Once a year, Kathmandu transforms into something timeless.
On Maha Shivratri, the sacred banks of the Bagmati River at Pashupatinath Temple become a living universe of devotion, chaos, silence, smoke, chants, and stories.
This is the one night when Lord Shiva is believed to be most present—awake, aware, and listening.
The Naked Yogis: Aghoris and Sadhus from the Himalayas
One of the most striking sights during Shivratri is the presence of naked yogis and ash-covered sadhus, many of whom travel from deep within the Himalayas or from sacred places in India.
These are not performers.
Weed is openly consumed by sadhus and devotees as an offering to Lord Shiva. Here, the act is symbolic and meant to aid mediation and detachment, not indulgence.
Fire, Chants, and the Endless Night
As night falls, the temple complex glows with oil lamps and ritual fires. Chants of “Om Namah Shivaya” echo across the Bagmati. Some people meditate.
It shows Nepal exactly as it is spiritual, complex, welcoming, and unfiltered. Whether you go as a devotee, traveler, photographer, or seeker, you don’t leave unchanged.
In 2026, this sacred celebration falls on Sunday, February 15th.