-
Maha Kumbh Mela, Maoist attack wean away Pashupatinath pilgrims
- Kathmandu
-
Though tens of thousands of devotees lined up at the gates of the revered Pashupatinath temple of Nepal Friday to offer worship on the occasion of Mahashivratri, there was a noticeable dip in the number of Indians, weaned away by the concurrent holy festival in India's Haridwar city and past Maoist attacks on the Nepal shrine.
The Naga sadhus of India, remarkable for their disdain to wear any clothes despite the biting cold and a perennial draw for pilgrims and tourists, were noticeably fewer in number this year even as the number of Indian pilgrims dropped though the trust running the Pashupatinath shrine said it expected over 600,000 visitors.
-
For the first time in the history of the temple, the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust (PADT), following the system in southern Indian temples, levied an admission fee of NRS 1,000 at the eastern gate to well-heeled pilgrims who wanted to avoid queuing up.
-
Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav will pray at the shrine after attending Army Day celebrations.
Also making a low-key visit to the shrine will be deposed king Gyanendra.
-
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
