On the night of Maha Shivaratri, a special four-phase (prahar) worship is being conducted at Pashupatinath Temple, according to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
The worship, which began on Wednesday evening around 6 PM, will continue until 6 AM today, as informed by the Trust’s Member Secretary, Dr. Milan Kumar Thapa, to the National News Agency (RSS) this culturally significant night, in addition to the four types of worship performed during the four prahars, offerings such as Mahadeep, Akhandadeep, Lakshya Batti, and Deepotsav, along with a hundred thousand belpatra (sacred leaves), are made at Pashupatinath Temple.
Classical music and dance performances are also held at the music ashrams of Kailashkut and Kiratishwar. Devotees from various parts of Nepal and neighboring India gathered at the temple to seek blessings from Lord Shiva and participate in the Maha Shivaratri festival. Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a religious scholar and member of the Nepal Panchang Decision Committee, emphasized the importance of prahar puja during Maha Shivaratri in pashupatinath. The first phase of the worship began at around 6 PM on Wednesday and concluded by 8:45 PM.
The second phase followed immediately after, continuing until about 11:45 PM. According to Dr. Bhattarai, prahar puja plays a crucial role in the Maha Shivaratri observance, with its rituals marking an essential part of the event. These worship sessions are held in multiple phases throughout the night, each contributing to the spiritual significance of the occasion. The timeframes of each phase are meticulously followed to ensure the proper execution of rituals and to maintain the sanctity of the celebration.
The observance of prahar puja during Maha Shivaratri is deeply rooted in religious traditions, and its proper conduct is a matter of great reverence within the community. This sacred practice not only enhances the spiritual experience of the devotees but also upholds the religious customs that have been passed down for generations. The third phase of the event began and continued until approximately 2:45 AM. Following this, the final phase started and lasted until 6 AM. This phase marked the conclusion of the entire ceremony.
The prahar puja, conducted during these phases, consisted of various spiritual practices. It included chanting, meditation, performing rituals, making offerings (Aghradaan), reciting scriptures, and conducting Rudrabhishek, which is a special anointment of Lord Shiva. These activities are integral to the worship process, deepening the connection with the divine and creating an atmosphere of devotion and reverence.
The tradition of Prahar Puja, a significant religious practice, is observed at several renowned temples across Nepal. Temples like Rudreshwar Mahadev in Chabahil’s Gangahiti, Trijugeshwar Shiva Temple in Gaurighat, Gokarneshwar Mahadev, Nageshwar, and Doleswar are key sites where devotees gather to perform the puja. The ceremony holds immense religious importance, particularly during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, when millions of followers visit these sacred temples to offer prayers and worship to Lord Shiva.
Prahar Puja is known for its strict adherence to rituals, with worshippers believing that it pleases Lord Shiva, also known as Ashutosh (the easily pleased one). The puja, conducted with great devotion and reverence, takes place throughout Wednesday night in many Shiva temples. It involves multiple rounds of prayers and offerings, marking a spiritually significant night for the devotees who observe it. This tradition continues to thrive, drawing large numbers of worshippers who seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
On Wednesday, the day of Maha Shivaratri, millions of devotees gathered at various temples to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Alongside the famous sites, many also visited lesser-known but equally sacred temples such as Gokarneshwar, Doleswar, Nageshwar Mahadev, and Makkhan Mahadev Temple, located in Basantapur. This temple is locally referred to as Small Pashupatinath, drawing numerous pilgrims for the event.
The atmosphere on Maha Shivaratri is one of spiritual reverence, with devotees offering their prayers to Lord Shiva across different regions. The celebration includes a blend of rituals, including the observance of Prahar Puja at the temples mentioned above. The temples, both prominent and small, see a surge in visitors as people come together in devotion to mark this important religious occasion, which is celebrated with great fervor across the country.
