Kathmandu, February 12 The Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is all set to welcome around eight lakh pilgrims, including 30 per cent Indians, during the Maha Shivaratri festival on Sunday.
The Pashupati temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River, has been decorated with colorful lights, paper flags, flowers, garlands, and banners to welcome Hindu devotees from within the country as well as from outside, mainly from India.
"This time, security has been specially intensified with the deployment of around 8,000 security personnel, including Nepal Army personnel, for the grand event, as the election date – March 5 – is approaching," informed Subhash Joshi, the executive director of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, which manages the temple's affairs, during a press meet on Thursday.
Around 4,000 Sadhus (holy men), including hundreds of Naga babas, are expected to arrive at the temple premises to offer prayers on the occasion, he informed.
Religious dances and music shows, recitation of religious songs, a campfire, and free food distribution are being arranged for the devotees on the occasion, he said.
The temple will open early at 2 am on Sunday, and visitors will be able to have darshan of the Shiva Linga from all four sides, he added.
Free drinking water, emergency medical services, volunteer services, and distribution of sandalwood tika are being arranged for the devotees on the occasion.
Special arrangements have been made for elderly, sick, and disabled devotees to have easy access to the temple, he added.
Consumption of alcohol and other drugs is strictly prohibited in the temple periphery.
At least 2,500 volunteers and 26 organizations are being mobilized for the occasion. President Ramchanda Paudel is also expected to arrive for a darshana at around 4:30 pm on the day, he said.