Over 400,000 devotees visit Pashupatinath on Maha Shivaratri as of this afternoon

KATHMANDU: The auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri has witnessed an overwhelming turnout of devotees at the revered Pashupatinath temple, with more than four hundred thousand pilgrims paying their respects thus far.

According to Rewati Raman Adhikari, spokesperson at the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), devotees began thronging to the temple premises as early as 2:00 am today, marking the onset of the day-long celebrations. The number of devotees continues to swell, indicating a significant increase in footfall compared to the morning hours.

As the influx of devotees intensifies, security personnel are facing mounting challenges in crowd management. All four entrances to the Pashupatinath temple have been kept open since 2:00 am to facilitate the pilgrims' smooth access.

PADT anticipates that the total number of devotees visiting the Pashupatinath temple today could surpass two million, underscoring the immense significance of Maha Shivaratri in the hearts and minds of devotees.