February 14, Kathmandu — Preparations for the Mahashivaratri festival have been completed at the Pashupatinath temple, where it is expected that over 800,000 devotees will visit on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
This year, Mahashivaratri will be celebrated on February 15. A large number of pilgrims, primarily sadhus (ascetics) from various sects and saints from Nepal and India, will gather at the Pashupatinath Temple to pay homage to Lord Shiva during this festival.
The Guthi Sansthan (a local organization) and the Home Ministry of Nepal are making necessary preparations to manage the crowds and accommodate the sadhus and saints during their stay.
Medical camps, drinking water facilities, and other amenities will be provided to the pilgrims during their stay, as hundreds of thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit the temple to witness the religious fervor.
The Guthi Sansthan has confirmed that all arrangements have been finalized for the five-day festival, which will take place from February 13 to 17. More than 4,000 sadhus and saints are expected to visit Kathmandu, including thousands of Naga Sadhus.
All necessary arrangements for services, worship, and the accommodation of sadhus and saints in the Pashupatinath Temple area and various locations in Kathmandu during the festival have been completed.
Firewood, food, worship materials, and donations will be provided to the saints staying in different temples and places in the Pashupatinath area.
Food is being provided to the saints and sadhus on the temple premises free of charge through the Annapurna Ashram, while firewood and food will also be supplied to places such as Ram Mandir, Bhashmeshwor, Nirmal, Mrigasthali Gorakhnath, Banakali, and Thapathali.