Kathmandu, Feb 5 : The Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) is gearing up for the celebrations of Mahashivaratri festival this year.
The festival, dedicated to the
Hindu god Shiva, is being observed on March 8. Sadhus and the devout have
started arriving in the Pashupatinath area for the Shivaratri festivities.
The PADT has announced a ban on the
supply of meat products and alcoholic beverages around the temple area,
starting from tomorrow, Wednesday, in view of the festival.
Today, the District Administration
Office, Kathmandu, issued a notice regarding the ban on the supply of meat
products in specific areas: east from the Gaushala Mitrapark roadway, west from
the east border of the Pashupati area, north from the Gaushala Tilganga ring
road, and the entire southern area from Guheshwori via
Mitrapark-Umakund-Gaurighat. This restriction will remain in force until March
10.
The ban aims to observe the
festival in a dignified manner, respecting the religious, cultural
significance, and the sanctity of the Pashupatinath area. Production,
transportation, sale, purchase, storage, and consumption of alcohol and meat
have been prohibited in the vicinity of the Pashupatinath Temple in view of the
Shivaratri festival.
The area is being decorated in
preparation for the festival, according to PADT member-secretary Raju Kumar
Khatri.
This year, the PADT expects around
two million devotees to visit the temple on the occasion of
Mahashivaratri.
It assures that all necessary
arrangements have been made to ensure devotees can pay homage to the Hindu god
conveniently. However, there is no provision for a special pass to enter the
temple to observe Mahashivaratri this year. (RSS)