WORLD NEWS | Nepal: Enthusiasm for Shivratri runs high, devotees wait in long queues to enter main complex of Pashupatinath temple

Kathmandu [Nepal]February 18 (ANI): The frenzy for Shivratri in Nepal is growing, with winding lines stretching far and wide as devotees wait their turn to enter the main temple complex of Pashupatinath.

Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi – The fourth day of the waning moon of Falgun, considered Mahashivratri according to the lunar calendar. Thousands of devotees gather at Pashupatinah, a Hindu pilgrimage site in Kathmandu. This temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Vedic lecturer Govinda Sharan Upadhyay told ANI, “Lord Pashupatinath is also the swami of all beings. All living and dead beings are considered as animals and their swami is ‘Pashupatinath’. In Shivratri, Lord Shiva was at six different times Worship is performed within the scope. During that time, people perform Rudrabhishek and Mahamritunjaya, chant hymns, give alms and perform ceremonies on their own. Throughout the day, people fast without any food, some eat fruit, and those with special circumstances have food to come The temple worships the god Pashupatinath.”

This day is considered to be the favorite day of Lord Shiva and it is believed to bring happiness to those living in difficult times. Some people fast during the day and hold a vigil (Jagram) at night to celebrate Lord Shiva.

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People also light fires in their homes, public squares and temples, sing hymns and receive prasad on the occasion. Classical dances are performed at Kailashkut and Kirateshwor in the Pashupati area of ​​Kathmandu.

According to the Nepal Calendar Determining Committee, Brahma appears in the form of Shiva at midnight at Krishna Chaturdashi in Falgun. Hence, the day is celebrated with prayers, prostrations and visits to the shrines of Lord Shiva. Hindus believe that celebrating the day with prayers will bring peace and prosperity to one’s life.

Starting early this morning, devotees will bathe in rivers and ponds, visit the shrines of Lord Shiva and worship.

Mithu Malla, a devotee, told ANI, “Today, I worship Lord Shiva and chant and dance the hymns of Lord Mahadev – he is the best of them all. Remember him all the time, I am almost 70 years old, So I will not fast, but I will perform various rituals.”

Aware of Shivaratri’s pressure, the Pashupati Regional Development Trust opened all four gates of the temple at 3am (local time) on Saturday. Three main queues are formed outside and five inside for devotees to wait their turn to reach the main temple.

Apart from devotees, hundreds of ascetics from all over Nepal and India also came to Pashupatinath Temple. They camped at various locations around the temple, built bonfires and smoked weed.

“Every year, I come to Pashupatinath for Jal Abhishek. The pitcher I carry has supplied the holy water to the Pashupatinath temple for many generations. At every Shivaratri, I come to the temple with this holy pitcher and share with It contains water,” an ascetic monk from India told ANI.

About 5,000 security personnel and 4,000 volunteers were mobilized to ensure orderly management of believers who came to Pashupatinath Temple to worship and darshan today.

Wellness camps are also set up at the Pashupatinath Temple. Apart from the Pashupatinath temple, other Lord Shiva temples in the capital are also packed with devotees to celebrate the festival of Shiva. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)