KATHMANDU: Mahashivaratri, a much revered festivity of Hindus, is being observed today.

Devotees have thronged Pathupatinath Temple since early Tuesday morning to offer prayers to 'Bholenath' (Lord Shiva) on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.

Pashupatinath Temple is considered to be one of the major centres of pilgrimage for Hindus, especially Shaivaites.

All four doors of the temple were opened at 3:15 am for the devotees to pay homage to Lord Shiva.

Arrangements have been made for the devotees to enter the main temple from three doors (a door in the south of Pingalasthan, another one west of Jayabageshwori-Bhuvaneshwori, and the third from Mitrapark-Umakunda-Basuki).

A Sadhu poses as he keeps himself warm with firewood on the eve of the Mahashivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, on Monday, February 12, 2018. Thousands of sadhus from Nepal and India celebrate the festival by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam

The devotees are supposed to exit from the same door they have entered, said a Pashupati Area Development Trust official.

Approximately 1.3 million devotees are estimated to pay homage to Lord Pashupatinath at the festival this year, according to PADT.