Kathmandu- The number of devotees, holy men and visitors coming to pay obeisance to Pashupatinath on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival has increased in the Pashupati area. The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has made arrangements with the expectation of the highest number of devotees in over a decade. The Mahashivaratri Festival Management Main Celebration Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, who is also the chairman of PADT, in this connection and to observe the festival with fervor and gaiety. PADT Member-Secretary Dr Milan Kumar Thapa, said, “Nine thematic sub-committees have been formed and the sub-committees have forwarded the work as per their responsibility. We have focused all our attention to giving top priority to the managerial aspect and to the convenience of devotees.” Devotees are coming from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and other countries. Thapa said PADT has made a decision to open the doors of Pashupatinath temple at 2 am on Wednesday to make arrangements for offering worship and obeisance to Pashupatinath in a systematic manner. “Teams of Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department have been mobilized for security. Pashupati Area Development Trust will also mobilize its own security team,” he added. Similarly, arrangements and coordination has been put in place for providing health services. Sadhus and holy men would be provided with accommodation in dharamshalas in the temple premises. Apart from Tilganga, arrangements have been made for free food and accommodation in Hangshamandap, Bankali and other areas as well, according to PADT.
