Pashupatinath Temple glows as devotees perform lamp rituals on Bala Chaturdashi

Nov 19, 2025

Description: Kathmandu (Nepal), Nov 19 (ANI): Sitting under the tarpaulins adding oil on the lamp throughout the night in premises of Pashupatinath Temple, thousands of Hindu devotees have gathered praying for salvation of departed souls. The devotees camp-up to stay awake throughout the night taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi performing this ritual for the salvation of the soul of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir. Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day and abstaining from garlic, onions, fish, eggs and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light “Akhanda Jyoti” in the name of the deceased souls of their families. On the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, devotees float the live-lamps on the river which is believed would lighten the world of departed souls in their after-life.