Kathmandu erupted in devotion on Sunday as tens of thousands of pilgrims flooded the iconic Pashupatinath Temple for Maha Shivratri celebrations. The UNESCO World Heritage site, revered as one of Lord Shiva’s holiest abodes alongside Kedarnath and Kashi Vishwanath, resonated with chants of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ from dawn.
Devotees from Nepal, India, and beyond queued up as early as 2 a.m., with temple doors flung open to accommodate the surge. By 9:30 a.m., nearly 100,000 worshippers had already offered prayers, according to Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Executive Director Shubhas Chandra Joshi.
The vibrant scene featured sadhus, saints, and Naga babas immersed in ancient rituals. Over 3,000 Hindu ascetics, including 150 Naga sadhus from India, have converged for spiritual practices symbolizing devotion and discipline. PADT ensured seamless arrangements for their stay, food, and essentials.
Joshi anticipates over 700,000 visitors by day’s end, a significant portion from India. Robust measures for crowd control, security, health services, and sanitation underscore the temple’s preparedness for this grand spectacle of faith.
As the sun climbed higher, the air thickened with incense and fervor, painting a timeless picture of unwavering spiritual legacy. Maha Shivratri at Pashupatinath isn’t just a festival—it’s a living testament to Shiva’s eternal call.