KATHMANDU, Sept 4:  Women devotees started thronging the Pashupatinath temple from as early as 3 am on Sunday for the celebration of Haritalika Teej festival.

The women queued up since early in the morning in teeming rain for paying homage to Lord Shiva, according to Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT). 

The long lines of revelers have reached Umakunda area in the north, Jaya Bageshwori in the west and Tilganga in the South, PADT Member Secretary, Dr Govinda Tondon said. 

The Pashupatinath Temple's all four gates were opened for the devotees since 3:30 am. The PADT has arranged for the visit of around 900,000 devotees on the occasion of Teej. 

Meanwhile, men are banned from paying homage at the Pashupatinath Temple for today. The Trust has mobilized policemen and volunteers to maintain order. 

The women devotees have been paying homage to all the shrines of Lord Shiva from early in the morning today. RSS

Photos: Prabin Koirala