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Shivaratri – the Night of Shiva – is observed on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of the lunar month of Magh/Falgun (February/March). This is the night Lord Shiva is said to have performed the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction – Tandava Nritya (one of the many myths associated with the festival).

 

Therein lies the allegory of Shivaratri, which over “time”, “hinduization” and “interpretations,” have subdued the real essence of the spiritual “Shiva-Shakti” (male-female principle) culture, traces of which can be found in every religion and civilization.

 

Shivaratri is Nepal’s best known mela (religious fair) that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and – more importantly – the sadhus (holy men) at Pashupatinath (Lord of the Animal Life) Temple, one of the Subcontinent’s four great Shiva shrines, in Kathmandu.

 

 

 

During Shivaratri, hundreds of sadhus come from all across the Subcontinent to lounge beside their dhuni (bonfire) in the extensive Pashupatinath complex. They represent various sampradayas (sects) and play a major role in the spiritual and social life of South Asia.

 

Very little is known about their origin, but historians and anthropologists have thus far concluded they represent the world’s oldest spiritual paths in the history of humankind. They are part of an ascetic tradition, renouncing their worldly lives to follow the path of self-denial.

 

 

 

Demonstrating a core of inner strength, sadhus astound onlookers with their agility in various yoga postures and smoke ganja (marijuana) to help gain spiritual attainment, which has been a sort of sacrament among Shaivites (devotees of Shiva) for centuries. They take turns with the chillum and circle around the dhuni, making an akhara.

 

The scene continues until the great midnight, as pilgrims join to share their prasad.

 

 

 

 

 

Source : exposure-2010-21