KATHMANDU: The Nepali Army (NA) is celebrating Army Day today, coinciding with Mahashivaratri, a religious festival of Hindus. The NA has been marking the day as the Army Day since 2047 BS.

According to security affairs expert Dr Deepak Prakash Bhatta, to have Mahashivaratri festival and Army Day on the same day is not only coincidence but it has significance, too.

“Lord Shiva is regarded as the symbol of awareness and power. Shiva is god and god is the symbol of truth. Shiva has both qualities of ‘calmness and destruction’. Therefore, there are similarities between Army Day and Mahashivaratri. To celebrate Army Day on the occasion of Shivaratri is to honor the truth and awareness,” said Bhatta.

History shows that the NA has often been socialized in the context of religion and cultures. The logo of Nepal Army containing a trident and damaru, a musical instrument, also further indicates the blend of religion and philosophy.

Dr Bhatta further said these images in the logo symbolize Lord Shiva. Shiva is the creator, preserver and destroyer, according to Hindu Philosophy.

Since the very past, many army barracks and companies have been named after god and goddesses. Temples of goddess have been constructed on the premises of many army barracks. The NA offers prayers and worships in the temple almost every day for which a certain budget is allocated, said Brigadier General Santosh Ballav, the spokesperson of the Army.

Historian Dinesh Raj Panta, however, does not agree that it is a mere coincidence to have Mahashivaratri and Army Day on the same day.  According to him, former king Prithvi Narayan Shah had formed a first army troop on the day of Shivaratri. Since the very day Nepal Army has been observing Army Day on Mahashivaratri festival.

The NA is also appreciated for its admirable role in maintaining peace not only in the country but also in some of the war-torn hotspots of the world.