Four-Phase Worship Underway at Pashupatinath Temple During Mahashivaratri Night

Kathmandu. The Pashupati Area Development Trust has stated that the four-phase worship is currently underway at the Pashupatinath Temple during the Mahashivaratri night. Anisha Bhatta, the information officer for the Trust, informed that the four-phase worship, which began around 6 PM, will continue until 6 AM on Monday. She explained that the tradition involves worshipping the four faces of Shiva—Ishana, Aghora, Vamadeva, and Sadyojata—with milk, yogurt, ghee, and honey, respectively, during the four phases.

On this night, which is a cultural festival, in addition to the four-phase worship, a great lamp (Mahadeep), eternal lamp (Akhandadeep), a hundred thousand lamps (Lakshya Batti), a festival of lights (Dipotsav), and an offering of one lakh Belpatra leaves are performed at Pashupatinath. Mahashivaratri is one of the four nights that occur throughout the year. According to Eastern beliefs, the four main nights throughout the year are Moharatri, Kalratri, Sukharatri, and Shivaratri.

Pilgrims from various parts of the country, including the neighboring nation of India, thronged the Pashupatinath Temple today to have a glimpse of Lord Shiva and celebrate the Mahashivaratri festival fair.

Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a scripture scholar and member of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee, states that the phase worship holds special significance during Mahashivaratri. He mentioned that the worship began around 6 PM today, and the first phase concluded around 8:45 PM.

The second phase of worship started around 9 PM and is expected to conclude around 11:45 PM. The third phase of worship starts around 12 AM and concludes around 2:45 AM. The fourth phase of worship starts around 3 AM and concludes around 6 AM. The phase worship is performed through chanting (Jap), meditation (Dhyan), worship (Puja), offering libations (Arghyadan), recitation (Path), and Rudrabhisheka.

Experts have stated that because the phase worship holds special significance during Mahashivaratri, it must be performed following proper rituals. The four-phase worship has been performed methodically since this evening in many Shiva temples established across the country with Pran Pratishtha (consecration).

There is a religious belief that the easily pleased Lord Shiva is satisfied by this phase worship. The tradition of performing four-phase worship is also observed at Rudreshwor Mahadev Temple located at Rudramati riverbank's Chabahil Gangahiti, Tri-Gajur Shivalaya at Gaurighat, Gokurneshwor Mahadev Temple, Nageshwor, Doleshwor, and Baneshwor, among other temples.

On the occasion of Mahashivaratri, there was a large presence of devotees throughout the day today at Pashupatinath Temple, as well as at Gokurneshwor, Doleshwor, Nageshwor, Baneshwor Mahadev, and places like Makhan Mahadev in Basantapur, which is known as the 'Small Pashupatinath'.