KATHMANDU, Mar 11: The Mahashivaratri festival is being observed with a huge fanfare across the country on Thursday.
Hindus thong to nearby rivers, ponds and Shiva Temples and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
A special celebration can be witnessed in Pashupatinath Temple Area on this day. Devotees from within and outside the country throng to Pashupatinath area from early morning.
Mahashivaratri: Thousands of devotees throng Pashupatinath temp...
This day is celebrated in the lunar month of Falgun(i.e. Mid-February-Mid-March) and is believed to instill faith in those destined to live in trouble.
It is believed that Lord Shiva was born on this day.
The numbers of Hindu devotees thronging to Pashupatinath Temple is expected to decline this year as compared to previous years due to COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), as many as 300,000 visitors are expected to visit Pashupatinath Temple today. All necessary arrangements to facilitate pilgrims have been made already, according to PADT officials.
Likewise, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), Kathmandu has urged vehicles to avoid Chabahil, Gaushala and Tilganaga road-section of Ring Road in order to help ensure smooth traffic management in the area.