Devotees throng Pashupatinath on Maha Shivaratri (In Pictures)

KATHMANDU, March 4: Hindu devotees from various places of the country and India have crowded up Pashupatinath temple since early this morning to offer prayers to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival.

Tens of thousands of devotees have queued up in line since early morning to offer worships to Lord Shiva.

All four doors of the Pashupati temple have been kept open since 3.00 am early today to allow devotees to offer worships in a convenient manner, according to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.

Three lines have been arranged for the revelers to enter into the main temple of Pashupati. They have also managed special arrangement for the senior citizens and the disabled.

About 6000 security personnel including Nepal Police, Traffic Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army have been mobilized to secure the temple area. Also, 5000 volunteers have been mobilized to manage the crowd, according to PADT.

Parking lots have been arranged in five different areas, including Tilganga, PADT office, Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala, Sifalchaur and open space beyond Guheswori.

Also, thousands of devotees have reached Gokarneswor located in the north-east part of the capital and Basantapur-based Shiva Temple, among others in the capital beside Pashupati.

Likewise, the temples of Lord Shiva across the country, including Halesi Dham of Khotang, Baijanath Dham of Achham and Kuleswor of Sindhuli have seen huge influx of devotees for worships.

Also Read: In Pictures: 6000 plus sadhus arrive at Pashupatinath

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote