By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Mar. 11: Thousands of devotees have thronged the Pashupatinath temple since this morning on the occasion of Mahashivaratri. All the four doors of the temple have opened for the occasion since early morning.

A group of people was observed standing in a queue and waiting for their turn to worship their God Shiva even before the main gates were open. Mahashivaratri, celebrated every year at midnight on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, is a special day to please and honor Lord Shiva. 

On this auspicious day, devotees from near and far horde the temple. Mainly, Hindus in Nepal and across the globe flock to rivers, ponds, and Shiva temples nearby their homes and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) estimated that a total of eight lakh devotes might visit the temple today. 

The PADT said that three main lines are managed for the purpose. There is one line from Mitra Park-Gaurighat, Umakunda-Dakshinamurti to Rudragadeshwar Uttardhoka, Battisputali-Gaushala, Tribhuvan International Airport-Tilganga, Pingalasthan-Sumargi Bhavan, four Shivalayas-Panchadeval, and arrangements have been made to enter the main premises of the Pashupatinath temple in two lanes from Dakshindhoka through Dakshindhoka as well.

Dr. Pradip Dhakal, Member Secretary of the Trust informed that the other line has been managed to enter the main temple from the shoe l room by descending the Bankali forest in the west.

If needed then the line from Tilganga Ram temple can be managed as well. After entering the main temple premises, three inner lines have been arranged from the north and south and four inner lines from the west.

The devotees have thronged on all the three lines of the temple. 

The south line has reached the Tribhuvan International Airport, the north line has reached Guheshwari and the western line has reached Gaushala, said Dr Milan Kumar Thapa, treasurer of the trust. 

Citing the risk of the COVID-19 infection, it has been made mandatory to wear masks while entering the Pashupatinath temple. Those that are seen without the masks can be returned, he added.