Maha Shivaratri 2027 at Pashupatinath: Date, Crowds and How to Take Part

Last updated 11 October 2026.

Short answer: Maha Shivaratri 2027 is on Saturday 6 March 2027, and the all-night worship at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu carries on into the early hours of Sunday 7 March. Our two-day Maha Shivaratri 2027 tour costs USD 85 per person and includes a guide who speaks English and Hindi, vegetarian lunch and dinner, the entrance fees and a group camp at the temple for the night. It is not a trek and it is not easy on the body: you stay awake in the cold among very large crowds. It is also the strongest night of living religion I know in Nepal.

I am Shreejan. Visitors often hear about Shivaratri from a friend and then arrive in Kathmandu with no plan, and that is how they end up pressed against a barrier at ten at night, not understanding what they see. This page tells you the date, what happens, what you may and may not do as a visitor, and how we run it.

Maha Shivaratri 2027 at a glance

When is Maha Shivaratri in 2027?

It falls on Saturday 6 March 2027. Maha Shivaratri is kept on the 14th lunar day of the waning moon in the month of Magha or Phalguna, depending on which calendar you follow, so the date moves every year on the Gregorian calendar. The calendars I use agree on 6 March. The government of Nepal publishes the official holiday dates close to the time, and if a notice moves the day I will update this page. The 2026 festival was in February, which is why some visitors arrive a month early. If you are planning around 2027, plan around March.

What happens at Pashupatinath on the night?

The bells begin before dusk. By evening the temple complex and both banks of the Bagmati are full of pilgrims who have come from across Nepal and India, many of them fasting for the day. Sadhus, the holy men, arrive in large numbers and sit by small fires. Oil lamps are lit along the river. Through the night the temple holds its four watches, each with its own worship, and the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya rolls through the crowd. The most sacred moment is the Nishita puja at about midnight. At first light the closing rituals follow, including the anointing of the Shiva lingam with milk, honey and water.

It is loud, smoky and crowded, and it is meant to be. Some sadhus smoke cannabis openly as part of their practice, which surprises many visitors. You will see things that are not tidy, and my advice is to watch with respect and not to judge. My guide to Pashupatinath, the evening aarti and etiquette explains the site on an ordinary day.

Can non-Hindus take part?

You can be there, and you can take part in the outer parts of the night, but the main sanctum is closed to non-Hindus every day of the year, including Shivaratri. Do not argue at the gate. The courtyards, the river banks, the ghats and the lamp-lit paths are open to everyone. Your guide shows you where to stand so you can see the rituals without blocking a family on its way to the shrine.

A few rules that matter:

• Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes where you are told.
• Ask before you photograph a person, and never photograph a cremation. Pashupatinath is also where the dead are cremated, so respect any family you see there.
• Do not touch offerings, and do not step over anyone sitting or sleeping.

I wrote more about this in how to photograph rituals and visit temples.

What is included in our Maha Shivaratri tour?

The tour is two days, 6 and 7 March 2027. Day 1 starts with a daylight orientation: what the festival means, how the temple is laid out and how to behave. In the evening we go to Pashupatinath together, watch the lamps being lit and begin the vigil. Day 2 covers the pre-dawn and morning rituals, then a quiet walk around the temple grounds, then a late lunch and the return to your hotel or the airport.

The price is USD 85 per person, on one level. There is no Budget, Standard and Luxury version of this tour, because the night is the same for everyone. I can book hotel nights in Kathmandu for you at the time of booking if you want them.

What should you wear and bring?

• A warm jacket, hat and gloves. Early March days in Kathmandu are usually clear and pleasant, but the nights are cold, and you will sit outdoors for hours.
• Trousers and a top with sleeves. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not respectful here.
• Shoes you can slip off easily, and warm socks.
• A small bag with a power bank, tissues and a water bottle. Keep your passport copy and cash close, because the crowd is tight.
• Small Nepali rupee notes for offerings and tips. If you are a foreign guest booking with us, you pay us in US dollars or euros; the rupees are only for small things on the day.

Eat a proper meal before the vigil. The meals we serve are simple and vegetarian, suitable for people who are fasting. If you are not fasting, tell us and we will plan around it.

What else is on around the date?

Hotels near the temple fill up, so book early. If you want to add a trek, March is a good month for it: read my March 2027 trekking guide, and the full festival calendar for 2027. If you want to see the temples on a normal day as well, our Pashupatinath and Boudhanath day tour and my guide to Kathmandu temples in one day cover it.

Questions people ask

When is Maha Shivaratri in 2027? Saturday 6 March 2027. The night of worship runs into the early hours of 7 March.

Where is Maha Shivaratri celebrated in Nepal? The main celebration is at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, on the Bagmati River. Shiva temples across the country hold their own nights of worship.

Can tourists go to Pashupatinath on Shivaratri? Yes, tourists can enter the temple grounds, but the main sanctum is for Hindus only. You can see the rituals, the sadhus and the lamps from the courtyards and the river banks.

How much does a Maha Shivaratri tour in Kathmandu cost? Our two-day tour is USD 85 per person, with a guide, vegetarian lunch and dinner, entrance fees, transfers and a group camp at the temple. Hotel nights are separate.

Is it safe for women and solo travellers? The crowds are very large, so stay with your guide, keep your bag in front of you and wear modest clothes. If you would like a female guide, tell me when you book and I will see what we can arrange.

What do you wear to Maha Shivaratri? Warm layers on top, long trousers, a hat and gloves, and shoes you can take off. Cover your shoulders and knees.

Can I take photos during the festival? Ask people first, and follow your guide's advice on where photography is not welcome. Never photograph a cremation.

How long should I stay in Kathmandu for Shivaratri? Arrive at least a day early to rest, and keep a day after the vigil for sleep. Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Patan are easy additions.

How are the terms for this tour?

Group size is 1 to 20, and the tour can be private. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients. Buy travel insurance at home. Check how to get your visa in my visa on arrival guide.

How do you book?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with the number of people, your arrival date and whether you want hotel nights booked. I will tell you honestly how we would run the night for your group and send the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.