THOUSANDS of Hindu devotees thronged the revered Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples across Nepal on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday. All four gates of the Pashupatinath temple situated in the bank of holy Bagmati river were opened from 2:00 am, welcoming the devotees. This year, around 8,00,000 devotees, 30 per cent of whom are Indians, were expected to visit the temple. Last year, more than one million devotees visited the Pashupati area on the festive occasion. Mahashivratri, which falls on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, the fourteenth day of the first half of the lunar month of Falgun as per the Hindu calendar, is considered the most auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva. Along with Pashupatinath, people are also visiting other prominent Shiva temples in the valley, such as Gokarneshwor and Makhan Mahadev.

 

There was also a throng of devotees performing prayers at Shiva temples outside the capital. According to Kashmiri Shaivaism, Shivratri means the light of knowledge, removing the darkness of ignorance, thereby illuminating one’s life. Around 4,500 sadhus (holy men), including hundreds of Naga Babas, arrived in Kathmandu for prayers at the 5th-century Pashupatinath Temple, which was decorated with flowers, colourful lights and banners. The Pashupati Area Development Trust has announced that this year, three external lines have been arranged for offering worship at the temple for Mahashivratri. Parking arrangements for devotees visiting the temple have been made at Sifal, Tilganga, beyond Guheshwari, the office of the PADT, and Banakali, among other places. Security has also been intensified with the mobilisation of over 6,000 security personnel, including from the Nepal Army, as the country goes to polls on March 5 to elect a new Parliament (House of Representatives). Lanka President extends Mahashivratri greetings: SRI Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Mahashivratri, saying such observances help foster harmony and compassion in society.

 

“With the hope that the darkness of ignorance be dispelled and the light of wisdom be kindled, the sacred festival of Mahashivratri, devoutly observed by Hindus around the world, falls today,” the President said in a message. Calling Mahashivratri an “auspicious occasion” on which Hindu devotees offer worship and reverence to Lord Shiva, he said it commemorates the “divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the moment when Lord Shiva performs his celestial dance, the Tandava”. Thereby, it symbolises the triumph over “darkness of ignorance” in the world and in human life, he added. “I firmly believe that such religious and cultural observances are of great importance in building a disciplined and compassionate society that respects all human bonds,” Dissanayake said.