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11 Days Nepal
Mahashivratri |
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11
Days / 10
Nights |
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Mahashivaratri Festival
 Mahashivaratri
Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and
religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu
Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon
in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of
February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of
Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual
worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.
Legends of Mahashivratri
There are various interesting
legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to
one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of
Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious
night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’,
the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction.
Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that
it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form
of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious
by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri -
the grand night of Shiva.
Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri
Various traditions and customs
related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the
worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of
Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not
consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere
worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves
a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and
death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women.
While married women pray for the well being of their husbands
unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded
as the ideal husband.
To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a
ritual bath, preferably in river
Ganga. After wearing
fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give
ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.
On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day
and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of
Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and
water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of
temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva
temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns
and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the
following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad
offered to the deity.
When is Shivaratri?
Shivaratri 2010 is on February 12, Friday
Auspicious festival of Mahashivaratri falls on the 13th or the 14th
night of the new moon during Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of
Phalgun. The Sanskrit term, Krishna Paksha means the period of
waning moon or the dark fortnight and Phalguna corresponds to the
month of February - March in English Calendar. Shivaratri Festival
is celebrated on a moonless night.
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Accoring to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri or 'Shiva's Great Night'
symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Many however,
believe, Shivaratri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya - the dance of primordial creation, preservation and
destruction. Celebrating the festival in a customary manner,
devotees give a ritual bath to the Lingam with the panchagavya -
milk, sour milk, urine, butter and dung. Celebrations of Shivaratri
Festival mainly take place at night. Devotees of Lord Shiva throng
Shiva temples across the country and spend ‘the Night of Lord Shiva’
by chanting verses and hymns in praise of the Lord. The festival
holds special meaning for the ladies. They pray to Goddess Parvati
also called 'Gaura', the giver of 'suhag' for good husbands, marital
bliss and a long and prosperous married life.
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Itinerary for Maha
Shivaratri Tour
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 01: February 11, 2010: Arrive Kathmandu .
Upon arrival meet assist and transfer to the Norling. Country Club
and Spa or in Guest House in Boudhanath. Check – in at the Guest
House. Evening: Walk around the Boudhanth and Dinner at the
Restaurant in Boudhanath.
Overnight at the Guest House in Boudhanath.
Day 02: February 12, 2010: This day is the auspicious
Shivaratri.
Breakfast at the Resort . Morning Visit Gokaneswor Mahadev and
Gokarna National Park . Lunch at the Gokarna Forest Resort and
Spa. PM: Visit to Pasupatinath and around Pasupatinath till the
Evening Arati.
Dinner at the Resort or Guest House.
Overnight at the Resort or Guest House.
Day 03: February 13, 2010: Breakfast at the Resort.
Check – out from the Resort. After breakfast, drive or ride to Daman
. Check – in at the Resort in Daman .
Lunch at the Resort. Visit Rikheswor Mahadev. Dinner at the Resort.
Overnight at the Everest Panorama Resort.
Day 04: February 14, 2010: Breakfast at the Resort.
After breakfast, check – out from the Resort and drive or ride to
Pokhara. En route lunch at the River Side Spring Resort. Check - in
at the Hotel Barahi in Pokhara. Evening explore lake side.
Overnight at the Hotel Barahi in Pokhara .
Day 05: February 15, 2010: Breakfast at the Hotel.
AM: Visit Gupteshowr Mahadev, Davis Fall and boating at the Fewa
Lake . Lunch at the Restaurant in Lake Side. PM: Drive or Ride to
Sarangkot for Sun set. Dinner at the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Barahi in Pokhara.
Day 06: February 16, 2010: Breakfast at the Hotel.
Check - out from the Hotel . Drive Pokhara to Bandipur. Check – in
at the Hotel in Bandipur. Walk around Bandipur village. Dinner at
the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Bandipur Mountain Resort in Bandipur.
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Day 07:
February 17, 2010: Breakfast at the Hotel.
Hike to Patalidwar and Siddha Gufa with packed lunch. Dinner at
the Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Bandipur Mountain Resort in Bandipur.
Day 08: February 18, 2010: Breakfast at the Hotel.
Check – out from the Hotel and drive to Kurintar. Take a cable car
ride to Manakamana Temple by cable car. Check – in at the Guest
House in Manakamana. Explore around Temple . Dinner at the Guest
House.
Overnight at the Guest House in Manakamana.
Day 09: February 19, 2010: Hike to Tarakeshowar Mahadev.
Return to Guest House.
Breakfast at the Guest House. Take a cable car ride down and
continue drive to Bhaktapur. En route Lunch at Hill Top
Restaurant.
Check – in at the Guest House in Bhaktapur. Dinner at the Guest
House.
Overnight at the Guest House in Bhaktapur.
Day 10: February 20, 2010: Breakfast at the Guest House..
Full day sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur and around. Lunch at the
restaurant in Bhaktapur. Lunch at the Guest House.
Overnight at the Guest House in Bhaktapur.
Day 11: February 21, 2010: Breakfast at the Hotel.
Check – out from the Guest House. Drive to Kathmandu .
Departure transfer to airport.
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Tour Reservation
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Our Services
Include:
Accommodation in double room on twin sharing basis with bath and
WC in the
chosen category. (A and B groups of hotel - 2 nights
in Kathmandu, 4 nights in
Lhasa).
American / Continental Breakfast.
Entrances of
the monuments during the sightseeing.
Services of
qualified local guides (English speaking or languages of your
choice)
during the whole tour.
All
Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All
Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus (Except
Standard Hotels) will be
provided.
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Exclusions:
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of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills and
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beverages.
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(Still or Movie).
Any Flight
Charges.
Unspecified
Meals etc. |
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