Pashupatinath Area Development Trust prepares for Mahashivaratri celebrations

KATHMANDU: The Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) is making elaborate preparations for the upcoming Mahashivaratri festival, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, which falls on March 8 this year.

Sadhus and devotees have already begun arriving in the Pashupatinath area to participate in the festivities.

In anticipation of the festival, PADT has announced a ban on the supply of meat products and alcoholic beverages around the temple area, effective from tomorrow, Wednesday.

The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has issued a notice outlining specific areas where the ban on meat products will be enforced until March 10, aiming to uphold the sanctity of the occasion.

PADT member-secretary Raju Kumar Khatri mentioned that the area is being adorned in preparation for the festivities, expecting around two million devotees to visit the temple on Mahashivaratri.

While all necessary arrangements have been made for devotees, there will be no provision for a special pass to enter the temple for Mahashivaratri observance this year, according to PADT.