One of the most significant nights in the Vedic tradition. This is not a celebration in the usual sense and not an external event. It is a time of deep inner work, conscious wakefulness, transformation, and direct contact with the energy of Shiva — the principle of liberation, dissolution of illusion, and renewal

The five-day program is hosted by the Vedic temple Shree Bhagawat Dham Sanatan Mandir. Events take place daily, from morning until late evening. The program includes pujas, spiritual practices, seva [selfless service], and collective ritual actions. Attendance during the festival days is open to everyone. Entry is free

The night from February 15 to February 16 [Sunday → Monday] is the central point of the entire event. This is not a concert and not a mass celebration. It is a night of conscious wakefulness and ancient Vedic practices performed without sleep until sunrise

The night program is organized separately and requires prior registration

18:37 – 20:30 · Lakh Batti
At sunset. Lighting of 100,000 oil lamps for Lord Shiva — a collective offering of light as a form of consciousness.

• offering light to Shiva
• purification of karma
• fire as a symbol of awareness
• transition from tamas to jyotis — from darkness to light
• especially powerful when performed on the night of Maha Shivaratri

20:30 – 00:16 · Cultural Evening
Open festival program. A joyful and celebratory atmosphere on the temple grounds:

• traditional Nepali dances
• open stage [voluntary participation]
• lottery
• free communication and celebration

23:40 – 00:16 · Closing of the Festival Part
Transition into the night spiritual practice:

• quick temple cleaning
• inner preparation and grounding
• change of clothes [optional; light or traditional attire is recommended]

Night Program

Access is only for registered participants. From 00:00, the exclusive night sadhana begins. Participation, printed materials, personal prayer beads, and ritual offerings are provided only for participants on the list

00:16 – 01:05 · Nishita Kaal
Shiva mantra sadhana — the most sacred moment of the night. Collective mantra repetition on japa malas:

• guidance and gentle instruction
• traditionally considered the time of Shiva's manifestation
• focus on silence, breath, and sound
• deep mantra practice

01:05 – 02:00 · Abhiṣeka
Collective ritual bathing of the Shiva Linga with mantras:

• water, milk, honey, ghee
• flowers and incense

02:00 – 03:00 · Śiva Sahasranāma
The 1008 Names of Shiva

• listening and collective chanting
• brief explanations of the meaning of each name
• immersion into the qualities and aspects of Shiva

03:00 – 04:00 · Deep Sound Meditation

• guidance and instruction
• rhythmic background sound of tanpura
• collective elongated chanting of OM
• immersion into the primordial sound and inner silence

04:17 – 04:50 · Saṅkalpa
Forming a true intention for the year ahead:

• explanation of the principle and guidance
• work with inner intention
• formulation of a personal vow
• silence and individual inner practice

04:17 – 05:07 · Preparation for Havan Yajna [parallel]
Under the guidance of the pandit [temple priest]:

• creation of the mandala
• decoration of the ritual space
• voluntary assistance
• instructions

05:07 – 05:56 · Havan Yajna
Collective fire ritual inside the temple:

• offerings into the sacred fire
• Vedic mantras
• karmic purification through fire

05:56 – 06:44 · Completion of the Night of Shiva
Welcoming the sunrise:

• collective ārati — offering of fire
• silence and gratitude
• a gentle transition from the Night of Shiva into the light of the new day

To remain awake until sunrise, physical strength, mental stability, and the ability to sit for long periods without sleep are required. For this reason, preparatory trainings are held every Saturday at 7:00 AM for one and a half months prior to the festival, together with the temple’s head priest:

• January 3
• January 10
• January 17
• January 24
• January 31
• February 7

Participation is free and open to everyone, regardless of experience

Each session lasts 1 hour and includes:

• 15 minutes — work with a Shiva mantra, japa on mala beads [108 × 11 rounds]
• 15 minutes — five mantras [Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Devi, Hanuman], 108 repetitions each
• 3 minutes — short break: walking, body loosening
• 5 minutes — alternate nostril breathing
• 5 minutes — intensive breathing
• 10 minutes — meditation: returning the mind, concentration
• 5 minutes — concluding Shiva mantra [108 repetitions]
• 2 minutes — voice work, chanting the mantra "Om"

All instructions are given before the session. Teaching is provided in Russian and English. Sessions are recorded on video. After each training, there is review, feedback, and guidance for correcting mistakes and difficulties

Night Practice [February 15–16]

• participation by prior registration only
• limited number of places
• paid participation [small contribution for ritual materials]
• entry strictly according to registration lists
• registration closes on Feb 5, 2026

Festival Days and Saturday Trainings

• free of charge
• open to all

Maha Shivaratri is the night when the energy of Shiva is more strongly present on Earth than usual. Shiva is not a god in the conventional sense, but a principle — the source of transformation, purification, and liberation. On this night, Shiva manifests as Mahadeva, the highest of the Devas, capable of altering karma. Shiva represents freedom. He creates, dissolves, and restores without attachment to results

During this night, one comes into contact with five manifestations of Shiva's energy:

• Chit Shakti — the power to transform karma and consciousness
• Ananda Shakti — the energy of happiness and inner bliss
• Iccha Shakti — the power of true desire and intention
• Jnana Shakti — the energy of understanding and discernment
• Kriya Shakti — the energy of action and realization

On Maha Shivaratri, only true desires are fulfilled — those that arise instantly, without doubt. If reflection is required, the desire is not authentic

The Vedic tradition describes four goals of human life:

• Dharma — purpose and the righteous path
• Artha — material stability and realization
• Kama — joy, life energy, pleasure
• Moksha — liberation

Purpose → achievement → enjoyment → liberation. Balance among them is attained through three key qualities:

• Vairagya — non-attachment
• Viveka — discernment
• Vichara — inner inquiry

Intention [sankalpa] is not a wish or a dream. It is an inner decision strengthened by clarity and will. On the night of Maha Shivaratri, sankalpa is addressed directly to Shiva — as the principle of freedom and transformation. Classical practices of this night include:

• forming a true sankalpa
• fasting [vrata]
• mantra repetition "Om Namah Shivaya"
• puja and abhisheka of the Shiva Lingam
• jagarana — staying awake until dawn

True freedom is not an achievement, but the realization that one has always been free. Shiva is the symbol of this freedom. Maha Shivaratri is an opportunity not to ask — but to remember

Om Namah Shivaya