KATHMANDU, NEPAL, March 8, 2016 (Himalayan Times): Half-a-million devotees from different parts of the country as well as from India, Malayasia and other countries visited Pashupatinath temple today to worship Lord Shiva.
It is believed to be the day Shiva was born to save the universe by drinking haalaahala, the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (samudra manthan). Shivaratri is also celebrated during the night by keeping a night-long vigil as it is believed that lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance.
Govinda Tandon, member secretary, Pashupati Area Development Trust today said the festival was celebrated with much fanfare in a peaceful way. He said, “The four doors of Pashupatinath temple were opened from 2:45 am for devotees, while necessary arrangements had been made for devotees to enter the main temple premises through Battisputali-Gaushala, Tilganga, Mitrapark-Gaurighat-Umakunda-Rudragadeshwor-Basuki and Jayabageshwori.” He stated that around 500,000 devotee worshipped Lord Shiva at the temple while thousands others visited from outside without staying in queue for hours.