Kathmandu, Feb 23: Authorities are decorating Pashupati to make it more appealing for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri.
Bankali, Bhuvaneshwari, the main temple area, the ghats, Ram Mandir, and Mrigasthali are among the various locations they have illuminated with dazzling lights. Decorative lights forming Nepal’s flag and vibrant lighting have created a captivating nighttime glow, enchanting devotees. Dr. Milan Kumar Thapa, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Member Secretary, says they decorated the path from Bhuvaneshwari Marg with lights and flowers for the event.
Workers have made Pashupati even more beautiful with recent paintings and renovations. “The lights and flower displays, particularly the ones shaped like Nepal’s flag, are a beautiful sight,” remarked Deepak Prasad Ghimire, a visitor from Balaju.
To oversee the preparations, authorities have formed a 201-member main organizing committee under the coordination of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, who also chairs the PADT board of directors. The committee has nine sub-committees, each handling different aspects of the festival.
PADT Member Secretary Dr Milan Kumar Thapa leads the Security Management Sub-Committee, while PADT Treasurer Narayan Prasad Subedi heads the Monitoring and Data Collection Sub-Committee. PADT Council Member Hari Prasad Dhakal oversees the Volunteer Mobilization Sub-Committee, and PADT Council Member Shikshit Parajuli manages the Health Services Sub-Committee.
Similarly, PADT Council Member Dr. Bharat Prasad Badal coordinates the Sadhus, Saints, and Religious Programs Sub-Committee, while PADT Council Member Raju Kumar Khatri leads the Publicity and Decoration Sub-Committee. PADT Council Member Babu Sharan Subedi supervises the Accommodation, Food, and Infrastructure Sub-Committee, and PADT Council Member Rameshwar Sangat manages the Temple Visit, Chandan Distribution, and Nighttime Arrangements Sub-Committee. PADT Council Member Renuka Parajuli leads the Environment, Sanitation, and Footwear Management Sub-Committee, while PADT Executive Director Subhash Chandra Joshi heads the Maha Shivaratri Festival 2081 BS Secretariat.
Dr Thapa said that the main organizing committee and all sub-committees have reached the final phase of their preparations, ensuring a grand and well-organized Maha Shivaratri celebration.