Kathmandu, February 15 Thousands of Hindu devotees flocked to the revered Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples across Nepal on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Sunday.
The four gates of the Pashupatinath temple, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, were opened from 2:00 am, welcoming the devotees.
An estimated 800,000 devotees, including around 30 percent Indians, are expected to visit the temple this year.
Last year, over a million devotees visited the Pashupati area on this festive occasion.
Maha Shivratri, which falls on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month of Falgun according to the Hindu calendar, is considered the most auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva.
Besides Pashupatinath, people are also visiting other prominent Shiva temples in the valley, such as Gokarneshwor and Makhan Mahadev.
There was also a large gathering of devotees performing prayers at Shiva temples outside the capital.
According to Kashmiri Shaivism, Shivratri means the light of knowledge, removing the darkness of ignorance, thereby illuminating one's life.
Around 4,500 sadhus (holy men), including hundreds of Naga Babas, arrived in Kathmandu for prayers at the 5th-century Pashupatinath Temple, which was decorated with flowers, colourful lights, and banners.
The Pashupati Area Development Trust has announced that three additional lines have been arranged for offering worship at the temple for Maha Shivratri.
Parking arrangements for devotees visiting the temple have been made at Sifal, Tilganga, beyond Guheshwari, the office of the PADT, and Banakali, among other locations.
Security has also been intensified with the mobilization of over 6,000 security personnel, including from the Nepal Army, as the country goes to polls on March 5 to elect a new Parliament (House of Representatives).