Kathmandu, February 23:

Member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), Basanta Chaudhary, said some 300, 000 Hindus are expected to pay homage to Lord Pashupatinath on the Shivaratri day, on February 26.

Chaudhary, addressing an interaction on Reverance of Mahashivaratri and our role organised by the Media Group Nepal, said some 230,000 people had visited Pashupatnath last year while some 300,000 people are expected this year.

He said over 600 volunteers would be deployed on Shivaratri to manage the crowd while PADT has estimated the total expenditure of Rs 15 million. The Guthi Sansthan would contribute a part of the total budget, while over 100 religious organisations would also contribute a significant chunk of it. President of the World Hindu Federation Bharat Keshar Singh said the nation is suffering because of the decline in the religion. Sadhu Shiva Awatari Lama said this year more Sadhus have already come as compared to previous years.