KATHMANDU, March 8: Hindu devotees across the country are observing their great festival of Mahashivaratri today.

The Hindus are thronging the nearby rivers, ponds and temples to worship Lord Shiva since early this morning. Lord Shiva was said to be born on the day of Shivaratri.

Shivaratri is one of the four nights known as Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri and Shivaratri.

Shivaratri, being observed today by the Hindus in various countries including Nepal and India, has been regarded as one of the greatest festivals in the holy scriptures of the Hindus—the Puranas.

This day is celebrated on the lunar month of Falgun and is believed to instill faith in those destined to live in trouble. The Skanda Purana, another holy text of the Hindus, also mentions the significance of the Shivaratri.

In Kathmandu, thousands of devotees from within and outside the country, predominantly from India, have thronged the Pashupatinath since early morning and queued up for hours for the darshan of Lord Shiva. 

 
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