No. of devotees visiting Pashupatinath goes up

Despite the political unrest in the country and sharp decline in Indian devotees, the number of devotees thronging the temple of Lord Pashupatinath area on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival, an important festival of Hindus, increased this year.

According to Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), around 250,000 people visited the temple on Sunday. The number of devotees was around 200,000 last year.

Report quoted Ram Prasad Dahal, coordinator of the publicity committee of the PADT, as saying that 150-160 devotees on average visited the temple per minute when all four doors, plus the main door, were opened; but 50-60 people visited the temple on average when only one door was open.

Only 10,000 devotees from foreign countries, including 7,000 Indians, came to pay homage at the temple this year. However, the turnout of Kathmanduties and people from terai areas was higher as compared to previous years, Dahal said.

The number of babas visiting Pashupatinath this year increased as well. According to reports, 1,900 babas, including Naga Babas, visited to the temple this year as compared to 500 last year.

The PADT claimed that it had made good arrangement for devotees as compared to last year and devotees have to spend less time to offer prayer.

Over a dozen persons were injured, some seriously, when police baton charged devotees who were trying to force their way out of the temple area at Gaushala after being blocked for around four hours.

Traffic and the flow of devotees were halted at Gaushala due to the royal visit to the Pashupati temple at around 6:15 p.m. nepalnews.com pb Feb 27 06

Related News
- Maha Shivratri preparations over