Hindus celebrate the festival of Shivaratri
Millions of Hindus have gathered at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal to celebrate the annual Shivaratri Festival which takes place in honor of Shiva, who is one of the three major deities of Hinduism.
'When Shiva saved the universe'
Millions of religious Hindu men from Nepal and India visit the Pashupatinath Temple in the Nepalese capital city of Kathmandu during the Shivaratri festival. Shivaratri is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva. Holy men mark the occasion by praying, smoking marijuana and smearing their bodies with ashes.
Smearing ashes on faces
A Hindu holy man (referred to as a "Sadhu") smears ashes on his face. On this occasion, rituals such as these are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation. In Hindu mythology, Shiva is also regarded as the patron god of yoga and arts.
Pinnacle of belief
A devotee with a snake wrapped around his neck. Most of Lord Shiva's statues have snakes wrapped around them in the same manner. According to some references, a snake's three rounds around Shiva's neck depict future, present and past. Hindus believe that on this day, planetary positions in the northern hemisphere act as catalysts to help a person raise his or her spiritual energy.
Chanting their way to spirituality
Holy men or "Sadhus" sit beside fire as they chant religious songs. Throughout the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya," the sacred mantra of Shiva. Lord Shiva - "The Auspicious One" - is one of the three major deities of Hinduism.
Lost in tranquility
Smoke rises as a devotee sits next to a fire during Shivaratri. The festival is associated with the marriage of Shiva and Shakti and also with the night he performed Taandava, the cosmic dance.
Transcending to another level
A man smokes marijuana in a pipe known as a "chillum" during the festival.
Revisiting myths and legends
A Sadhu recites prayers from a holy book. Shivaratri festival is celebrated on a day which is believed to be the day when Shiva saved the universe by drinking "halahala," the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean.
Devotion to belief
Hindu holy men sitting at the premises along with devotees. Every year, millions of holy Hindu men and their disciples from different parts of the world attend the Shivaratri Festival in Nepal.