More than 6,000 saints arrive in Kathmandu to observe Mahashivaratri

More than 6,000 saints, including from India, have arrived in Kathmandu for offering prayers at famed Pashupatinath Temple on Friday on occasion of Mahashivaratri, festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.

All four entrances of temple remained open on Friday to facilitate smooth flow of devotees for offering prayers at 5th-century historic shrine situated on banks of Bagmati River, according to authorities. According to Pashupati Area Development Fund (PT) officials, around 6,000 security personnel and 5,000 volunteers have been mobilized to man crowd in area on day of Mahashivaratri.

y were also provided free food and shelter. Hindus across world are celebrating annual festival on Friday this year. Thousands of visitors, from different parts of Nepal and India, visit Pashupatinath Temple on day. Someone million visitors are expected to visit temple till tonight. temple was opened as early as 3 am on Friday. President Bidya Devi Bhandari also visited temple to offer prayers amidst tight security.

Around 30 organizations provided various facilities such as drinking water and medical facilities on occasion. temple has been decorated with electric lamps and colorful flowers and welcome gates were erected at entry points of holy site. A 111-member main organizing committee heed by Minister of Tourism and Culture Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai was formed to celebrate occasion.

temple's authorities have also strictly restricted use of cannabis and or narcotic drugs on occasion issuing a warning that anyone caught tring in cannabis or or psychoactive drugs will be charged. 5th century Pashupatinath Temple is oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu dating back to 400 . Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several of his Cabinet colleagues have visited temple.