Cannabis Smoke Fills the Air at Nepal's Shivaratri Festival

Hindu devotees openly smoke marijuana during one of Nepal's biggest annual celebrations.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In Kathmandu, Nepal, Hindu religious devotees, mostly young people, openly smoked cannabis on Sunday during one of the country's largest annual festivals, Shivaratri.

Why it matters

The open use of cannabis at the Shivaratri festival highlights the complex relationship between religious traditions, cultural norms, and drug laws in Nepal, where marijuana has a long history of ritual and recreational use.

The details

During the Shivaratri festival, which celebrates the Hindu deity Shiva, many devotees smoke cannabis as part of their religious observances. The practice is deeply rooted in Nepalese culture, but also exists in a legal gray area, as the government has not fully legalized or decriminalized marijuana.

  • The Shivaratri festival took place on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Shivaratri

One of the largest annual Hindu festivals in Nepal, celebrating the deity Shiva.

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The takeaway

The open cannabis use at the Shivaratri festival reflects the complex interplay between Nepal's religious traditions, cultural norms, and evolving drug policies, as the country grapples with balancing cultural practices with modern legal frameworks.