Nepal is gearing up for the Mahashivaratri Festival. It is one of the biggest festival of Hinduism. Every year on the month of Falgun, Nepali and Hindu all around the globe celebrate this festival. In Nepal, at Pashupatinath Temple, pilgrims across the globe pay their visit. The temple is one of the sacred shrine of Hindu devotees. There are numerous stories behind the festival. This blog tells you about Mahashivaratri Festival and Marijuana Myth.
Kathmandu is city of temples. It is indeed the open museum. There are many temples and stupas. Everyday is a festival. Multi ethnic people celebrate different types of festival. Therefore, one can enjoy the festive mood throughout the year. Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Shivaratri and Lhosar are major festivals of Nepal. Majority of people living in Nepal are Hindus. Therefore, Hindu festival takes grand stand.
In Hindu mythology Vishnu Puran, there is a very popular episode of Ocean Churning. It is believed that fight broke between demon and gods. Fight was over the immortality nectar. During Samundra Manthan (Ocean Churning), poison (Halahala) emerged.
In fear of the situation gods and demons asked for help from Lord Shiva. He drank the poison to save the universe. The neck of Lord Shiva turned blue. Therefore, he is also called as Lord Neelkantha (Blue Neck). Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord shiva offered Bhaang also known as cannabis to Lord Shiva to reduce poison intensity.
It is the main reason of Lord Shiva’s consumption of cannabis. None of the Hindus books or texts depicts the extreme fondness of Lord Shiva’s addiction to it. It is indeed a myth. For example, Atharva Veda states that only Lord Shiva can take cannabis not other.
I hope your query about Mahashivaratri Festival and Marijuana myth is clear now.
However, in Kathmandu on the day of Shivaratri festival, marijuana consumption is open. You can see ordinary people, holy men (Babaji) smoking hashish, marijuana, bhang around temple premise. They call it the gift of god (prasad).
Every year thousands of devotees visit temple from Nepal and India. People of all age group sit around bonfire and smoke. They call it “Jay Bhole”. Even the local authority keeps a blind eye on this day. However, consumption or possession of marijuana is illegal in Nepal.
Some people visit temple just for smoking weed. It is truly unique. Thousands of devotees pay visit to the temple. Since midnight people queue up to worship Lord Shiva.
Devotees also make bonfire to warm Shiva. It signifies the end of winter season.
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