Headed to Pashupatinath? Here’s where you can park your vehicle

KATHMANDU: The great Hindu festival ‘Mahashivratri’, celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna month of Falgun, is being celebrated with great joy at Shiva temples across the country today.

Especially in the Pashupatinath area, which is considered the holy abode of the revered god Lord Shiva, a crowd of devotees has thronged since this morning.

At the main centre of Shivaratri celebrations, the Pashupatinath Temple, special ritual worship is being performed throughout the four watches of the night in accordance with Vedic traditions.

The temple premises have been illuminated with Mahadeep, Akhanda Deep, and thousands of ceremonial lamps, creating a grand festival of lights. Devotees are offering millions of bel leaves, considered most sacred to Lord Shiva.

To enhance the spiritual atmosphere, classical music and dance performances are being presented at the Kailashkut and Kirateshwar music ashrams, according to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.

Thousands of pilgrims and ascetics have arrived in Kathmandu from various districts of Nepal as well as from neighboring India to take part in the festival and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The chanting of “Jai Shambho” and the overwhelming presence of devotees have turned the entire Kathmandu Valley into a deeply spiritual and festive zone.

In view of the massive crowd, security agencies and the Pashupati Area Development Trust have put special arrangements in place.

Traffic management has been strengthened, and designated parking areas have been arranged at multiple locations including Sifal Chaur, across Guhyeshwari, the Pashupati Area Development Trust office premises, Bhandarkhal, in front of Tilganga Eye Hospital, and the Bankali area.

Hundreds of police personnel and volunteers have been deployed to manage queues and ensure the safety and smooth movement of devotees throughout the day and night.