Saints & sadhus gather at Pashupatinath for Maha Shivaratri

KATHMANDU: As Maha Shivaratri 2081 approaches, thousands of saints and sadhus have begun to gather at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.

The Pashupati area is currently undergoing thorough cleaning and preparations to accommodate the influx of devotees. With the arrival of these holy figures, the area is becoming increasingly crowded.

The activities of saints and Naga Babas—ascetics who traditionally wear no clothing—have already begun in the temple area, ahead of the festival.

Sadhus from across Nepal and India have flocked to Pashupatinath to pay their respects to Lord Shiva. The significance of Maha Shivaratri in Hinduism is immense, as it marks the day Lord Shiva first appeared in the form of Shivalinga, a moment believed to have been witnessed by Lord Brahma and Vishnu.

To ensure the smooth execution of the festival, several committees have been set up, and logistical arrangements have been made.

Special arrangements have been made for Naga Babas at the main temple premises as well.

As the festival draws closer, visitors to the temple are witnessing the sight of Sadhus with their faces painted in ashes from firewood.

Some are seen smoking cigarettes mixed with marijuana, while others partake in singing and dancing in celebration of Lord Shiva.

With the festivities in full swing, the Pashupatinath Temple is set to be the center of devotion for this important Hindu celebration, which falls on Feb 26 this year.

Grand procession held at Pashupatinath

A grand religious procession was organized at Pashupatinath on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

The event, organized by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), commenced from the western gate of the main Pashupatinath temple. Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, inaugurated the procession.

The procession followed a route from the western gate through Bhuvaneshwari Chowk, Char Shivalay, Pingalasthan, Gaushala, Jayabageshwari, Sifal, Lampokhari, Chabahil Ganeshsthan, Chabahil Chowk, Mitra Park, and Umakunda before concluding at Bhuvaneshwari Chowk.

Among the prominent attendees were Minister Pandey, State Minister Arun Kumar Chaudhary, Secretary Binod Prakash Singh, PADT Member Secretary Dr. Milan Kumar Thapa, Treasurer Narayan Prasad Subedi, members of the PADT governing council, trust officials, local organization representatives, and numerous sadhus and saints.