Thousands of Sadhus bid farewell after Maha Shivaratri (photos)

KATHMANDU: Guthi Sansthan and the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) began the formal farewell of Naga Babas and other sadhus who arrived to worship at Pashupatinath Temple on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

The farewell programme started from 11:00 am at the western gate in front of the Pashupatinath Temple premises.

Sadhus, including Naga Babas who had arrived from various akharas of Nepal and India, are being provided with financial offerings ranging from Rs 551 to Rs 11,000, according to Guthi Sansthan spokesperson Janak Pokharel.

He informed that more than 4,000 sadhus had been staying in the Pashupati and Thapathali areas during the festival period.

As per long-standing tradition, Naga Babas and other sadhus who come to worship, perform rituals and offer prayers at Pashupatinath during Maha Shivaratri are formally bid farewell every year on the new moon day of Falgun Krishna (Amavasya).

Executive Director and Spokesperson of the Trust Subash Chandra Joshi said that the Pashupati Area Development Trust is matching half of the amount provided by Guthi Sansthan as part of the farewell offerings.

He added that from Falgun Krishna Ekadashi to Amavasya, the Trust makes arrangements for food, accommodation and firewood for sacred dhuni rituals for the visiting ascetics.

The institutions also stated that during today’s farewell ceremony, the sadhus will be presented with 21 types of items, including a set of ritual offerings—lota (water pot), chamara (ritual whisk), bell, and blanket—along with cash donations. The items were pledged by President Ram Chandra Paudel on the day of Falgun Krishna Ekadashi.

Photos: