Maha Shivaratri (February/March)

This is the most famous and celebrated festival of Nepal, which attracts large crowds from far-flung places both in India & Nepal. This is the grandest and prominent festival among the numerous festivals, which is consecrated in honor of Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction. In Hinduism, he is one of the supreme trinity. On the morning of Shivaratri day and on proceeding days, thousands of worshippers throng Shivas' Temple, but the temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu holds the greatest attraction of all. One gets to see thousands of Hindu devotees coming to visit the temple of Pashupatinath. Among them are a large number of Sadhus and Naked ascetics. Many people like to keep awake for the whole nights keeping vigilance over an oil lamp burnt to please Lord Shiva. Children are seen keeping awake similarly over a bonfire in many localities. In the afternoon an official function is held to celebrate this festival at Tundikhel. The Nepalese Army organizes a show in which series of gunfire are sounded.