Kathmandu, Feb 23: As the country is preparing to celebrate Maha Shivaratri tomorrow (Friday), movement of devotees and Sadhus has started growing dense at Pashupatinath temple area for one of the biggest Hindu festivals.
The Pashupati Aread Development Trust (PADT) says around 1.3 million pilgrims are likely to visit the Pashupatinath temple this Mahashivaratri, which will be observed on Friday. Around one million people had visited the temple last year, according to the PADT.
As every year, hundreds of Sadhus from across the country and as far as various parts of neighbouring India have arrived at the temple with them taking refuge on the temple premises including Bankali and Pashupat area.
The mass congregation of Sadhus thronging the temple for the festival continues, said the Pashupati Area Development Trust, adding that the movement of Nanga Babas all the way from various parts of India also carries on. The nanga babas are the ascetics who do not wear clothes.
Approximately 4,000 Babas are expected to arrive at Pashupati temple this year, said the Trust, the government body responsible for looking after the Pashupatinath area.
One can view the scenes of Sadhus with their faces smeared with firewood ashes and them puffing on cigarettes mixed with marijuana. On the other hand, people, on the occasion, are seen dancing and singing in the honour of god Shiva.
There is a trend of bidding farewell to Sadhus after handing them offerings and money following the conclusion of the festival.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for pilgrims and Sadhus for their accommodation, food and water, said the Trust. Likewise, volunteers and security personnel have been mobilised, said the director of the Trust Bharat Marasini. RSS
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