KATHMANDU: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has stated that the Pashupati temple will not open for the public in the upcoming holy month of Shrawan. The temple remains closed for the public since the beginning of the lockdown imposed to control the coronavirus outbreak in April earlier this year.

A large number of devotees throng the temple during the month of Shrawan in the lunar calendar every year, especially on Mondays. Monday in the month of Shrawan is considered special for those worshipping Lord Shiva.

Member-secretary of PADT Pradeep Dhakal shared that there was no possibility of opening the temple for the public in Shrawan as the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to come under control. The temple had remained closed in the same month last year as well due to the same reason.

Dhakal further said that the temple could, however, open for public on the occasion of Haritalika (Teej), festival of women, if the situation returns to normalcy as far as coronavirus pandemic is concerned.