Kathmandu, March 4:

The 1,001-member Maha Shivaratri Main Celebration Committee today said it has completed preparations for Shivaratri, one of the greatest Hindu festival that falls on Thursday.

At a press meet today, the Pashupati Area Development Trust said it has estimated that some 350,000 devotees would visit the temple this Shivaratri.

Arrangements have been made in a way that it would not take more than three hours for any devotee to worship Lord Shiva at the busiest hour, said Yadav Chandra Sharma, coordinator of information and communication sub-committee.

There would be two lines for the devotees. The first one at Gaushala all the way through Bankali and Panchadewal and the second one from Mitrapark through Umakunda and Basuki Temple, it was informed.

The western gate of the temple would be open for the devotees from 2 am till throughout the day, while three other gates will be opened from 9 am till midday and after 2 pm for the whole day.

Parking area has been allotted at Tilganaga, Bhandarkhal, the ward police office Gaushala and at Sifal.

According to the PADT more than 2,000 sadhus from different parts of Nepal and India have already reached Pashupati and 10,000 more sadhus are expected to reach the temple by Thursday.

There are provisions for free health camps as well, he said, adding that the devotees are forbidden from bringing cameras, tape recorders and mobile phones on the temple premises.

He has urged the devotees not to wear valuable ornaments while visiting the temple. PADT further said no VIP pass has been issued and there has been no information from the palace about the arrival of the king and queen so far.