"Declaration"

#13310247

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310248

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310249

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310250

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310251

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310252

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310253

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310254

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310255

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13310256

12 February 2026

Nepali workers paint the structures around Pashupatinath temple ahead of the Maha Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 12, 2026. The Maha Shivaratri, a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, the protector, falls on Sunday, February 15, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. ''Maha Shivaratri,'' known as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great fervor in Nepal, as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries. Generally, the day of Maha Shivaratri falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the luni-solar month according to the Lunar Calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri. One of the major festivals of Nepal, Maha Shivaratri literally means ''Night of the Shiva.'' It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are in the most optimum positions to help raise a person's spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle is most active on this day of the year. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated marking the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri also celebrates the night when Lord Shiva performs the ''Tandav,'' the cosmic dance.

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#13309802

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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#13309829

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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#13309861

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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#13309891

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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#13309899

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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#13309906

12 February 2026

Chinese lanterns and decorations hang on the trees in front of Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China, on February 12, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year

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