Trip Duration : 3N / 4D
Tour Code: IH/SSH/03
Package: Kathmandu
Accommodations: Budget/Standard/Deluxe
Transportation: Private Transfer
Starts & Ends in: Kathmandu
Activities: Sightseeing Tour
Fixed Departure Date: 14th February 2018 Maha shivaratri day
A mega festival [one of the largest Hindu festivals] celebrated by Hindus from across the universe in the month of February or March every year.
“Maha Shivaratri is a big time mega Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also well known as ‘Shivaratri’ or ‘Great Night of Lord Shiva’, is observed on the (13th night/14th day) in the Krishna Paksha every year in the month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. It marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri falls in the months of February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. Of the twelve Shivaratri in the year, the Maha Shivaratri is said to be the most powerful and sacred.
The festival is predominantly celebrated by offerings of Bael or the ‘golden apple’ or Bilva/Vilvam [leaves] to Lord Shiva, with rigorous fasting and an all-night-long vigil (the sanskritic word ‘jagarana’). All through the day, devotees chant “Om Namah Shivaya”, a sacred mantra dedicated to Shiva. In accordance with scriptural and devotee traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of yoga and meditation, so that one could reach life’s highest excellence steadily and swiftly. On this auspicious day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as forceful catalysts to help a person raise one’s spiritual energy to a higher level. The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit Mantras such as the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra increase manifold on this particular night.
In Nepal, millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different corners of the world at the famous Pashupatinath Temple and among these are a huge number of Sadhus and naked Naga ascetics’ who also throng the temple each year as they come to worship Shiva in his summer resort and enjoy marijuana for a spiritual high which is allowed by the government on this particular occasion.
Incentive Holidays continues to organize ‘Maha Shivaratri’’, escorting the faithful to a lifetime of spiritual bliss and happiness…
Kathmandu
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuwan International Airport
Day 2 : Visit Pashupatinath Temple
Day 3 : Mankamana Darshan and drive back to Kathmandu
Day 4 : Final departure
Day 1 [13/02/18] : Arrive Kathmandu at the Tribhuwan International Airport
Arrival in Kathmandu at the Tribhuwan International Airport where you will find our representative awaiting your arrival with our office vehicle to pick you up and transfer you to your designated hotel. Your first overnight in the valley of temples.
Day 2 [14/02/18] : Visit Pashupatinath Temple for Mahashivaratri Festival
We set out on an early morning visit to Pashupatinath temple for worship with evening Arati on the banks of the Bagmati River. This major Hindu shrine offers countless temples dedicated to different Hindu deities within its huge areas. However, the main temple Pashupatinath is dedicated to Shiva, mythically said to be ‘the Destroyer’ – Shiva dwells here in what is said to be his ‘summer abode’’.
Day 3 [15/02/18] : Manakamana Darshan and drive back to Kathmandu
After breakfast, we drive down to Mankamana and get to the temple by a cable car. We explore the temple’s surroundings, learn of its history, and maybe make our wishes, too. We will also get some breathtaking views of the famous Manaslu peak and the Annapurna range of mountains. We then drive down to Kathmandu in the afternoon, a 4 hrs drive cruising down the lush green highway as we stop in-between for lunch.
Day 4 [16/02/18] : Final departure
Final departure for your connecting flight home sweet home. Our office representative and our vehicle will be at your hotel to transfer you to the airport. Should you require any additional activities, please do let us know, we have a vast array of different programs that will even interest the discerning traveler, our ‘No Frills’ prices are pocket friendly.
Accommodation
Your accommodation in Kathmandu will be made in 3-4-5* star hotels of your choice. All hotel rates are based on BB unless otherwise stated. Accommodations in the valley are comfortable and as close as it gets to home. The options are many for your hotel stay…the choice exclusively yours.
Dining
The choices are a delicatessen’s delight in the valley for visitors with vibrant taste buds. You will find cuisines from almost every corner of the planet in this ancient city. Most tourists’ based hotels and resorts are sensitive to the hygienic requirements in the preparation of all food and beverage items when catering to tourists’ visiting Nepal.
If you come to Nepal and have a flexible schedule, then take the time to visit these places. Nepal always has something to offer its guests. During the peak season (October to December) and (mid of February to May), the stunning panorama of the Himalayas is at its crisp-beautiful-best, but there is really no season in which Nepal is not a beautiful or pleasant place to visit.
