KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has made sacramental resolution regarding the materials to be distributed to sadhus and ascetics coming to Pashupatinath for homage on the occasion of Mahashivaratri festival.

The head of state made this resolution on the auspicious hour of 10:30am today amidst a ritual ceremony organised at Shital Niwas.

The resolution is related to donating traditional rugs, blankets, bakhkhu (robe), kamandalu, shawls, bed sheets, fruits, sida, among other sacred items to sadhus on the day of bidding them farewell.

Chief of Guthi Sansthan Pashupati Goswara Office Sushila Sharma Ghimire said the materials to be donated would be provided to the distinguished sadhus and saints coming to Pashupatinath to pay homage on the occasion of the Mahashivaratri festival.

The festival falls on March 1 this year.

Scores of sadhus and saints can be seen in Pashupati area and shrines at Thapathali and Gaushala on the eve of the Mahashivaratri festival.

Meanwhile, all preparations for the Mahashivaratri festival have been completed in Pashupati area where Lord Pashupatinath resides.

Organising a press conference here today, the Pashupati Area Development Trust said, 'All works related to security arrangements, worshipping of Lord Pashupatinath, offering chandan, making night time arrangements at the temple, providing food and accommodation to devotees, reception for sadhus and saints, religious programmes, cleaning and sanitation, emergency health and medical treatment and mobilisation of volunteers have been completed.

PADT treasurer and coordinator of the publicity management sub-committee Narayan Prasad Subedi urged all those participating in the Mahashivaratri festival to abide by health safety protocols determined by the government as the risk of COVID-19 was not over yet.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 28, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.