Maha Shivaratri Nepal Tour 2027

Trip Overview

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated starting early hours on 6th March until the early hours of march 7th in 2027. It is one of the most sacred festivals for Hindus, celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva and marking his divine union with Goddess Parvati. Each year, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu becomes the spiritual center of the celebration, drawing over a million devotees and sadhus from across the world.

This 8 day Nepal Pilgrimage Tour from 5th March to 12th March 2027 lets you experience Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple alongside visiting some of the country's most revered pilgrimage circuit to Doleshwar Mahadev, Sanga Mahadev, and Guheswari Temple, then journey via Jomsom to Muktinath Temple in the high Himalaya. The trip further takes you to Manakamana Temple and the lake city Pokhara to relax by the lake and enjoy views of the Annapurna Himalayas, making the trip a well balanced pilgrimage holiday.
 

Trip Detail

Itinerary Overview

This 8 day, 7 night pilgrimage tour combines the spiritual experience of Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple with a sacred journey to Muktinath.. You begin in Kathmandu, where you celebrate Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple and visit Doleshwar Mahadev, Sanga Mahadev and Guheswari Temple. From there, you travel to Pokhara before continuing on to Jomsom and Muktinath, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalaya. After returning to Pokhara for sightseeing, you drive back to Kathmandu with a stop at Manakamana Temple, before a final day exploring Kathmandu's old town.

Here is a quick look at how your 8 day tour unfolds.

• Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel, rest and prepare for Shivaratri.

• Day 2: Early morning Pashupatinath Darshan and Maha Shivaratri celebration, followed by visits to Doleshwar Mahadev, Sanga Mahadev, and Guheswari Temple.

• Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara through scenic countryside and hill landscapes.

• Day 4: Drive from Pokhara toward Muktinath via Jomsom, visit Muktinath Temple for Darshan, and stay overnight in Jomsom.

• Day 5: Drive from Jomsom to Pokhara and enjoy Pokhara sightseeing after arrival.

• Day 6: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu with a stop at Manakamana Temple for Darshan.

• Day 7: Explore Kathmandu Old Town and nearby cultural sites, followed by free and easy time.

• Day 8: Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight back home.
   

Why You Will Love This Trip

• Celebrate Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple: This itinerary is timed around Maha Shivaratri, giving you the rare chance to witness the celebrations at Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Shiva shrines in the world, alongside thousands of devotees and sadhus who gather for the occasion.

• Visit Important Shiva Temples: Beyond Pashupatinath, you visit three more significant Shiva and Shakti shrines in the Kathmandu Valley on the same day, allowing you to complete a meaningful circuit of darshan of Doleshwar Mahadev, Sanga Mahadev and Guheswari during the most auspicious day of the festival.

• Pilgrimage to Muktinath Temple: Muktinath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Buddhists, and reaching it via Jomsom gives you the chance to experience the dramatic high altitude landscape of the Mustang region along the way.

• Blessings at Manakamana Temple: On your return journey to Kathmandu, you stop at Manakamana Temple, one of the most visited Shakti temples in Nepal, known for fulfilling the wishes of devotees who come to pay their respects.

• Relax and Explore in Pokhara and Kathmandu: Between pilgrimage days, you enjoy sightseeing in Pokhara and a relaxed day exploring Kathmandu's old town, giving your journey a comfortable balance between spiritual activity and leisure.

• A Complete Pilgrimage and Cultural Introduction to Nepal: In just 8 days, you experience one of Nepal's most important festivals, its most sacred pilgrimage sites, and its most scenic lake city, all within a single well paced itinerary.
   

Why Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Is Worth Experiencing

Maha Shivaratri falls on a special night in the month of Phalguna, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Hindus believe this is the best night of the year to pray to Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath is one of only four major Shiva temples in the world known as Char Dham sites, which is why so many pilgrims travel here just for this night.

• Over a million pilgrims are expected to visit Pashupatinath around this festival

• Sadhus and ascetics from Nepal and India come to Pashupatinath, bringing unique traditions, prayers, and rituals

• Devotees stay awake throughout the night in four prayer periods, chanting, praying, meditating, and worshipping Lord Shiva until morning

• Priests perform sacred rituals and offer milk, water, bel leaves, flowers, and other offerings to the Shiva Lingam

• One popular story tells of a hunter who unknowingly worshipped Lord Shiva throughout the night by offering bel leaves to a Shiva Lingam. The story highlights the importance of sincere devotion and spiritual intention

What You Will See and Feel at Pashupatinath During the Festival

During Maha Shivaratri, the area around Pashupatinath and the Bagmati River becomes filled with pilgrims, sadhus, lamps, prayers, music, and religious ceremonies. The atmosphere is intense, colorful, and deeply spiritual, giving visitors a chance to witness one of Nepal's most important religious celebrations.

• Sadhus gather around the temple and river ghats, often covered in sacred ash and engaged in prayer and meditation

• Oil lamps and ritual fires illuminate parts of the temple grounds and the banks of the Bagmati River

• Continuous prayer, chanting, and music from priests and devotees through the day and into the evening

• Large numbers of pilgrims create a lively festival atmosphere, while your guide helps you move through the crowds and understand the traditions you are witnessing

• Early March in Kathmandu is generally comfortable for spending time outdoors, making it easier to experience the festival from morning into the evening

Altitude & Activities

This is a pilgrimage and cultural tour involving road travel, temple visits, sightseeing, and a journey to Muktinath. The itinerary does not involve trekking, but the Muktinath portion takes you to a significantly higher altitude than Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Accommodation and Meals

You will spend four nights in comfortable 4 star hotels in Kathmandu while celebrating Shivaratri and exploring the old town, one night in a 4 star hotel in Pokhara before heading to Jomsom, one night at Mountain Lodge, and one further night in Pokhara on your return. Daily breakfast is included throughout the tour, along with a welcome dinner on your first evening and full board during your stay in Jomsom.