KATHMANDU, NEPAL, November 30, 2005: A large crowd of devotees gathered Wednesday at Pasupatinath temple, one of the most important Hindu temples of Nepal, on the occasion of local Balachaturdasi festival, Radio Nepal reported. “The devotees came from across the country and gathered since early morning to mark the festival,” the radio said. Seeds of various grains are sown at 108 Shivalingams and temples praying for peace to the departed souls of one’s family members. Devotees sow seven types of seeds including paddy, barley, sesame, wheat, gram, maize and kaguno at the temple area, the radio noted, adding, “Seeds are sown with the belief that each grain sown amounts to a grain of gold given as alms from which the departed soul receives salvation.” Thousands of devotees lit oil fed lamps whole Tuesday night and chanted devotional hymns around the temple, which is one of the world’s heritage sites of Nepal, the radio noted.
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