KATHMANDU: Mahashivaratri, the festival of the Hindus, synonymous with the ‘night of Lord Shiva’, is being observed throughout the nation tomorrow with religious fervour and devotion.

Pashupati Area Development Trust

(PADT) said the stage is being set to observe the Mahashivaratri. President Dr Ram

Baran Yadav is scheduled to pay a visit to the temple tomorrow.

Sushil Nahata, member-secretary of the PADT, said an official portal — www.pashupati.org.np— of the Pashupatinath will also be launched tomorrow. “For those devotees who wish to offer prayers without having to queue up, they could buy ticket worth Rs 1,000 if they are unable to queue up,” Nahata said, adding that ordinary people will not have to pay anything.

“An estimated 1,200 tickets were sold off till today and it will continue tomorrow as well,” said Bhola Prasad Sitaula, director, PADT.

About half-a-million visitors, devotees and sages are expected to visit the temple tomorrow. Hundreds of sadhus, naga babas and sages have already poured in from different parts of the country and neighbouring India.