KATHMANDU: To make this year's Shivaratri festival-slated for February 12- a very grand occasion, the Mahashivaratri Management Main Committee has come up with elaborate arrangements.

They have decided to make 20 different arrangements and formed different committees, including the shoe-management.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting presided by Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, chief district officer, District Administration Office, Kathmandu.

Among other things, the gathering decided to arrange for security, traffic management, line up system, health camps, volunteers, inquiry and help desk and distribution of colours and materials for the devotees.

Bhola Prasad Sitaula, director, PADT, said that all the routes were finalised in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and security forces.

"Nepal Police and Armed Police Force will set up security camps in different places. They will also look after food, lodging and parking," he said.

"Nepali Army will help put up barricades and provide camping materials," he added.

According to PADT, all the unlawful activities including the sale of wine and illegal drugs will be prohibited in the shrine area.

"To ensure this, PADT officials, scouts and personnel from security forces will keep a vigil round the clock at the temple premises," said Sitaula.

"No special passes will be issued to the visitors this time. They have to pay for tickets," he added.

About half a million visitors are expected to visit Pashupatinath Temple this Mahashivaratri.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Sub-committee is coordinated by Shyam Shekhar Jha, while Sanitation Management Subcommittee is headed by Prabesh Man Bhandari. Similarly, Religious Programme Management Sub-Committee is chaired by Shila Panta.

Nahata, meanwhile, said this Mahashivaratri would be special one and different from previous years. "We hope to make it a grand and a well-managed one," he added.

Special arrangement for visitors

• Visitors' vehicles Tilganga

• Vehicles with passes PADT park

• Government vehicles Gaushala Ward Police Office

• Vehicles of locals Sifal

• Visitors' entry routes East, west and north gates

• Exit gate Main west gate

• Two health camps with doctors

• Medicines and ambulances