KATHMANDU, NEPAL, February 21, 2020 (Himalayan News Service): Pashupati Area Development Trust has said it expects to host around one million Hindu devotees from Nepal and abroad during religious festival o Mahashivaratri. Pradeep Dhakal, PADT member-secretary said all preparations for Mahashivaratri were over. Premises of Pashupatinath temple has been decorated with electric lamps and colorful flowers and welcome gates were erected at entry points of the holy site. Emergency health camps, security posts, information centers and temporary toilets have also been set up for devotees.
More than 6,000 security personnel from Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident during the festival. Hundreds of sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India have already started camping on the temple premises. The festival is celebrated with great religious fervor in reverence of Lord Shiva.
“Lines of devotees will be well managed so that they can worship Shiva Linga within 15 minutes from the core area of the temple,” said Dhakal. Four lines Mitrapark-Gaurighat-Umakunda, Jayabage- shwori-Intapakha-Bhuwane- shwori, Battisputalu-Gaushala Chowk and Airport Tilganga-Sumargi Bhawan will be arranged for devotees to proceed to the temple. Devotees will exit from the same direction by taking U-turn to avoid line crossing, said Dhakal. All four gates of the temple will remain open for devotees from 3:00am.