Spiritual · Pashupatinath
Evening aarti on the Bagmati at Pashupati
Join the crowds on the riverbank as priests perform the evening aarti with lamps, bells, conch shells and hymns to Shiva. Sit on the steps of the east bank with locals and watch the river glow with light as night falls.
Every evening at Pashupati, as the light fades, young priests in matching robes stand on platforms by the Bagmati and perform aarti, waving brass lamps in circles before Shiva while bells ring and devotional songs play. Crowds gather on the ghats and the east bank steps, many of them families who come every week.
We arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to find a seat on the east bank. Your guide explains the songs and offerings, and the rhythm of the ritual: lamps, incense, flowers, water and conch, offered in turn. Some people join in the singing and clapping, others just sit.
On Mondays, Shiva's day, and on festival evenings, the crowd is larger and more devotional. After the aarti, we walk back past the shrines, now lit with small lamps, to the main road for a taxi. It pairs well with an afternoon visit to Boudha, 2 km away.
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Questions
What time is the aarti at Pashupatinath?
The evening aarti starts around sunset, roughly 5.30 to 7 pm depending on the season, and lasts about an hour. Arrive 30 minutes early to find a good seat on the east bank steps. Times can shift on festival days, so check current status before you travel.
Can tourists attend the Pashupatinath aarti?
Yes. The aarti is held on the riverbank, outside the main temple, and anyone can watch from the ghats and the east bank steps. Dress modestly, sit quietly and avoid flash photography. It is busiest on Mondays and festival evenings.
Is Pashupatinath safe in the evening?
Yes, around the aarti it is busy and lively. Take normal care with bags and phones in the crowd, and use the main lit paths back to the road. Avoid wandering into the dark woods of Mrigasthali after the ceremony.
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