Pashupatinath temple during Maha Shiva Ratri. Shiva Ratri is a twenty-four-hour adoration of Lord Shiva the God of destruction in the Hindu triad and one of the valley's most revered deities. The golden-tiered Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to Shiva as Lord of animals and Nepal's patron God. The entire area has numerous shrine, bathing and cremation ghats, and scattered stone sculptures including the devoutly worshiped Shiva lingam. Throughout the year, Pashupatinath attracts sadhus (ascetics), mendicants, and other devotees, but on festival days thousands of pilgrims arrive to take a purifying bath in the sacred Bagmati river and then pay homage to the sacred lingam inside th main Pashupatinath temple. Throughout the days and well into the night, one can witness ash-covered sadhus, foreheads painted with tridents, emulating Lord Shiva by performing various yoga feats. Mahashiva Ratri is also a time for many Shivite followers to debate the Hindu texts. Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal.

Pashupatinath temple during Maha Shiva Ratri. Kathmandu, Nepal.

Hindu pilgrims worshiping Shiva Lingam during Maha Shiva Ratri. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tens of thousands of devotees and pilgrims from all over Nepal, India and other parts of the world converge at the Pashupatinath temple complex in Kathmandu for Maha shiva ratri, In Kathmandu for Mahashivaratri. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

A sadhu’s body is a display of his ascetic identity: his clothes or nudity separate him from the populace, covered in sacred ashes while his painted markings, called tilaka, indicate his divine focus of devotion. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Ranging from a simple daub of color to complex patterns involving the entire face and other body parts, basic tilaka designs mark a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations but may incorporate elaborate, individual variations. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Ranging from a simple daub of color to complex patterns involving the entire face and other body parts, basic tilaka designs mark a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations but may incorporate elaborate, individual variations. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

After a sadhu bathes to purify the body, he applies the tilaka while uttering mantras to sanctify his body, thus completing the ritual that transforms the body into a vessel worthy of receiving divine power and giving worship to God. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

After a sadhu bathes to purify the body, he applies the tilaka while uttering mantras to sanctify his body, thus completing the ritual that transforms the body into a vessel worthy of receiving divine power and giving worship to God. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

After a sadhu bathes to purify the body, he applies the tilaka while uttering mantras to sanctify his body, thus completing the ritual that transforms the body into a vessel worthy of receiving divine power and giving worship to God. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The vertical design of this sadhu's tilaka shows him to be a Vaishnava, or follower of Vishnu, whose gentleness is reflected in his devotees and their clothing of white or yellow, the colors of purity and surrender. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Ranging from a simple daub of color to complex patterns involving the entire face and other body parts, basic tilaka designs mark a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations but may incorporate elaborate, individual variations. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The vertical design of this sadhu's tilaka shows him to be a Vaishnava, or follower of Vishnu, whose gentleness is reflected in his devotees and their clothing of white or yellow, the colors of purity and surrender. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

During the time of festival, a Sadhu prepares a dhuni. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Ektara are commonly used in kirtan chanting by sadhus, which is a Hindu devotional practice of singing the divine names and mantras in an ecstatic call and response format. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kirtan chanting, which is a Hindu devotional practice of singing the divine names and mantras in an ecstatic call and response format. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

A content looking sadhu showcases his dreaded hair, called jata, which are normally worn in a bun on the top of the head save for special occasions. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nepali Sadhu. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Although Hindu religious texts as well as sadhus themselves hold varying opinions about drug use as a spiritual practice, it is certainly important to this sadhu. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kirtan chanting, which is a Hindu devotional practice of singing the divine names and mantras in an ecstatic call and response format. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kirtan chanting, which is a Hindu devotional practice of singing the divine names and mantras in an ecstatic call and response format. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Rama. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Rama. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Hanuman blessing kids. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Getting blessed by Hanuman. Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal.