Kathmandu: With a day left for Shivaratri, the Pashupatinath temple is bearing a new look than usual.
Decoratives are being set up, and sadhus have camped in various locations around the temple. Structures have been painted white with paints added onto the walls and sanitation taken care of, the Pashupatinath Temple is brimming round the clock.
This year, about 2,500 sadhus from within Nepal, as well as neighboring India, are being welcomed by the Pashupati Area Development Trust. The Development Trust has designated the Annapurna Bhandar for the Naga Baba, who on Thursday entered the main temple complex.
Alike Annapurna Bhandar, saints and sadhus are designated to Swargadwari Ashram, Nirmala Akhada, and Parmananda Ashram that lies in Pashupatinath Temple premises.
The Maha Shivaratri dedicated to Lord Shiva falls on Saturday, February 18, this year. An estimated 2 million pilgrims are expected to visit the temple this year. Maha Shivaratri is observed with great fervor in Nepal as well as in India and other Hindu populous countries.
Generally, the Day of Mahashivaratri falls on every 13th night or 14th day of the lunisolar month according to the Lunar calendar. Every temple of Lord Shiva is flocked with pilgrims on the day of Shivaratri.
One of the major festivals, Maha Shivaratri literally means “Night of the Shiva”. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Magha month, as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
