Pashupatinath gears up for Maha Shivaratri

KATHMANDU: Targeting this year’s Mahashivaratri festival, painting, cleaning, and infrastructure improvement work has begun in the premises of the Pashupatinath Temple and surrounding areas.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) stated that these measures aim to ensure smooth and safe worship for devotees.

To oversee the preparations, nine specialized subcommittees have been formed under the main ceremonial committee.

PADT Executive Director and Spokesperson Subhash Chandra Joshi said, “The committee is fully active in preparing for Maha Shivaratri. Work is underway in areas including management, security, health, sanitation, transportation, and publicity to provide facilities for saints, devotees, and visitors.”

Given the large influx of devotees expected on the day of Maha Shivaratri, special attention is being paid to crowd management, security, and emergency services, with preparations coordinated among security personnel, volunteers, and various organizations, Joshi added.

Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister and PADT Chairperson Anil Kumar Sinha has also formed a 171-member main ceremonial committee to organize Maha Shivaratri 2082 in a systematic, dignified, and grand manner.

As preparations intensify, saints and ascetics from across Nepal and neighboring India have begun arriving at Pashupatinath.

They are setting up dhuni (sacred fire pits) at various locations in the area for meditation, penance, and spiritual practices.

This year, Maha Shivaratri falls on Falgun 3, and with the increasing arrival of saints, devotee footfall is also expected to rise significantly.

PADT anticipates a notable presence of both domestic and international pilgrims, reflecting the festival’s importance in Hindu tradition.

The Trust, in collaboration with the Nepal government and related agencies, is fully mobilized to ensure that this year’s Maha Shivaratri is safe, well-organized, and successful.