KATHMANDU: The Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT) is actively preparing for the upcoming Mahashivaratri festival this year, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and observed on March 8.
Devotees, as well as sadhus, have already begun arriving in the Pashupatinath area to participate in the Shivaratri festivities.
In anticipation of the festival, PADT has announced a temporary ban on the supply of meat products and alcoholic beverages in the temple vicinity starting from tomorrow, Wednesday.
The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, issued a notice today outlining the specific areas affected by the ban: east from the Gaushala Mitrapark roadway, west from the east border of the Pashupati area, north from the Gaushala Tilganga ring road, and the entire southern area from Guheshwori via Mitrapark-Umakund-Gaurighat.
This prohibition will be in effect until March 10.
The ban is aimed at ensuring the observance of the festival in a dignified manner, respecting the religious and cultural significance, as well as maintaining the sanctity of the Pashupatinath area.
Consequently, the production, transportation, sale, purchase, storage, and consumption of alcohol and meat are prohibited in the vicinity of the Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival.
Preparations for the festival include the decoration of the area, as mentioned by PADT member-secretary Raju Kumar Khatri.
The trust anticipates approximately two million devotees to visit the temple during Mahashivaratri and assures that all necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate a convenient and respectful homage to the Hindu god.
However, there will be no provision for a special pass to enter the temple for Mahashivaratri this year.
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