5.5 lakh throng Pashupatinath for Mahashivaratri

Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, February 12

Number of visitors and devotees at Pashupatinath Temple on the Mahashivaratri went higher by nearly 40 per cent than in the previous years following well management and tight security situation along with increased facilities. Despite rain for about three hours in the afternoon and a few burglaries, devotees thronged the Pashupatinath with their faith in sanatan Hindu religion.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), more than 550,000 visitors paid homage to the temple. However, number of sages, sadhus and visitors from India decreased this year because of the Kumbha Fair coinciding with other big fairs in India, said Sushil Nahata, member secretary of the PADT.

In the previous years, only one door of the temple was used to be open for worshiping. But this time, all the four doors were open for visitors. Another privilege of paying ticket of Rs 1,000, which was first time delivered, additionally attracted the visitors. About 2,000 tickets were sold this time, said Rajendra Dhar, coordinator of the media centre that was set up first time.

PREZ, EX-KING VISIT the TEMPLE 

KATHMANDU: President Dr Ram Baran Yadav paid homage to Lord Pashupatinath today on the auspicious occasion of the Mahashivaratri. President Yadav arrived at 5:25 PM and returned at 5:37 PM after worshipping at the temple. Dr Yadav said that he wished successful conclusion and timely statute writing. “It is the need of time to write constitution in time and conclude peace process successfully,” he said on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.  

Following President’s visit, former king Gyanendra Shah visited temple at about quarter past 7:00 PM and worshiped as usual. Shah stayed at the temple for about half an hour to complete the rituals of worshiping. Speaking briefly with media, Shah wished peace and progress of the nation. “We worshipped wishing peace and prosperity of the country,” he added.

Ordinary people were blocked for visiting temple during both of President’s and Shah’s visits. --

Devotee Suyasana Shrestha, who came from New Road with her family members, was happy with ticketing system and cooperation from the volunteers in the area. “We experienced easier moments avoiding long rows after we got the privilege of paying tickets,” she said.

Other visitors expressed qualms over the serpent-like rows to reach temple. “I am following row for about four hours to enter the south gate of the temple,” said Gita Karki from Bhaisepati in Lalitpur. “However, it was better than the previous years,” she added.

However, PADT, which offered Prasad for every visitors first time, officials claimed that it did not took more than two hours in reaching to the temple. Another local visitor Ambika Bhatta from around the temple area criticised the paying system to worship god.

Although having hashish and opium strictly restricted in the area for ordinary people, a bulk of youths were seen puffing hashish along with sadhus and sages, who are permitted to have as Prasad of Shiva. An Assistant Sub-Inspector on duty at Mrigasthali said it was impossible to control it without the government’s will.

EGO CLASH BETWEEN POLICE & SCOUT
KATHMANDU: A tense environment was created at Pashupatinath Temple after volunteers of Nepal Scout and officials of Nepal Police misunderstood each other with the ego clashes. Nepal Scout volunteers blamed DIG Binod Singh of Traffic Police misbehaving the volunteers while entering to the temple. “DIG Singh was entering the temple with his family members, violating the rules set by police themselves. When we asked his family members to show official IDs, they demeaned us by asking our status,” said Scout Master Ranjan Lal Shrestha. “We were asked—What is your status to ask our IDs,” he claimed. When DIG family was en route to out, slogans were chanted against DIG. It was widely reported that Scout volunteers were also misbehaving the visitors enquiring them more than necessary. --

PADT and volunteering organisations managed food, accommodations and refreshment services to the needy visitors from different places. Health workers and camps provided the free services and medicine to the people who fell ill during standing on row. About 200 people including two serious cases were treated yesterday and today.

Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, said that the programme was successful. “Everything including security services were well managed this year,” said Rijal, who is chairman of PADT.

Mahashivaratri Festival 2010 was jointly organised by PADT, Indian Embassy and Nepal Manv Sewa Dharma Samiti. The festival is being observed from February 11-13.