KATHMANDU, Feb 14: The sacred Pashupatinath Temple is already brimming with activity as Nepal gears up for the grand Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri on Sunday. On Friday, crowds of sadhus and devotees flocked to the temple, eager to beat the larger throngs expected on the main festival day.
By Friday, the temple premises were alive with activity: flower garlands were being strung, walls freshly painted, and electric lights installed at a rapid pace. Coinciding with Ekadashi, around 500 naga sadhus ((naked sage) and other holy men entered the temple chanting Har Har Mahadev, while roughly 1,000 sadhus gathered around the grounds, said Shreedhar Sapkota, treasurer of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).
Inside, the naga sadhus performed rituals with sacred fire, sang bhajans, and blessed devotees with peacock feathers. While some devotees appeared awed or intimidated by the naga sadhus, others sought their blessings and offered donations. “I received a stone as a blessing from a naga sadhu and donated Rs 1,000,” said Amar Sharma from Baneshwor. “I had received blessings from naga sadhus last year too. It was a wonderful experience—I have deep faith in them.”
Sadhus gather at Pashupatinath Temple for Maha Shivaratri (Pho...
Maha Shivaratri is one of Hinduism’s most important festivals, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts and prayers to express devotion, and many observe rituals seeking a husband in the form of Shiva, as the festival marks the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
On Friday alone, around 1,500 sadhus, including naga sadhus, were present inside and around the temple. Sapkota said approximately 4,000 sadhus are expected by Shivaratri, with arrangements made by the Trust and local Guthi institutions for rituals, food, and lodging.
To ensure smooth darshan, temple visits on the main festival day will begin at 2 AM, supported by five skywalks and four footbridges to manage the crowd. Around 1 million devotees were expected to visit Pashupatinath by Friday, according to PADT member secretary Prakashmani Sharma.
Preparations are also underway in the Bankali area, with 120 lodging and food stalls ready, some of which began serving meals on Friday. However, poor waste management has caused littering and stray cows have been seen eating garbage, raising environmental concerns. Health camps have also been set up for devotees.
Sharma advised visitors, “It’s better if devotees avoid bringing small children and leave jewelry or valuables at home. The PADT has ensured proper arrangements for food and lodging.”
