Kathmandu, March 1

The Pashupati Area Development Trust has stepped up and completed preparations for Mahashivaratri, one of the major festivals of Hindus.

The festival will be celebrated on March 4. According to PADT, various eight sub-committees have been formed for making arrangements, including security, and food and lodging for sadhus during the festival. It said, over 1.3 million devotees from different parts of the country, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia are expected to visit Pashupatinath temple.

PADT said all four gates of the temple would remain open for devotees from 3:00 am on the day of Mahashivaratri. There will be three entry points to the temple from Mitrapark, Jayabageshwori and Pinglasthan.

It informed that around 4,300 security personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department would be deployed to maintain peace and order.

It warned that anyone caught trading in marijuana or other psychoactive drugs would be brought to book under Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act. Pashupati area has already been declared a drug-free zone.

Emergency health camps, security posts, information centres and temporary toilets will also be set up on the premises of the temple a day before the festival. It is estimated that around 5,000 sadhus from India will visit the temple during the festival. Some sadhus have already started camping at the Pashupati area.