Pashupatinath shrine to draw 1 million visitors on Shivaratri

Kathmandu, Feb 16: The famed Hindu shrine Pashupatinath is expected to draw one million visitors from India and Nepal on the occasion of Maha Shivarati tomorrow.

Tens of thousands of devotees, including Sadhus and Naga Babas, have already arrived from different parts of Nepal and India to pay homage to Lord Shiva at the temple, located on the bank of the Bagmati River of Kathmandu.

The Pashupati Area Trust has mobilised over 3,000 volunteers and 5,000 security personnel are being deployed for maintaining law and order and smooth arrangement of prayer on the day, according to the temple authorities. Singing of Bhajan, musical performanes, dances and other religious activities have already started in the temple premises. Free meal, accommodation, drinking water and first aid treatment are being arranged for the occasion, officials said.

Although, one million visitors are expected in the temple complex and surrounding area tomorrow, 500,000 are expected to offer prayer at the Shiva Linga. A huge Shiva Linga has been installed by Bramhachari Raj Yog Centre for devotees on the occasion. Pashupatinath temple, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world. It dates back to to 400 AD, and houses the holy phallus of Lord Shiva.

PTI