KATHMANDU: A sea of devotees, numbering in the thousands, descended upon Pashupatinath Temple early Friday morning to partake in the festivities of the Maha Shivaratri festival.

According to Rewanirman Adhikari, spokesperson for the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT), more than 100,000 individuals have visited the temple since the early hours of Friday.

Adhikari further noted that all four entrances of the temple have been opened to accommodate the influx of devotees, with approximately 10 people permitted to seek blessings inside the temple at any given time.

Anticipating a significant turnout, the PADT estimates that around 2 million people will visit the temple during the festival period.

To ensure the safety and well-being of visitors, the trust has coordinated the mobilization of essential services, including ambulance facilities, 600 volunteers, 70 health desks, as well as personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and officials from the National Investigation Department. These efforts aim to guarantee a secure and peaceful observance of the festival.

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