KATHMANDU, MARCH 6

A Sadhu follower of Lord Shiva looks on from a temple before a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, on Wednesday.

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Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva.

Photos by Skanda Gautam for The Himalayan Times

A Sadhu follower of Lord Shiva looks on from a temple before a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
A Sadhu follower of Lord Shiva looks on from a temple before a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

Sadhus, holy men known as the followers of Lord Shiva take part in a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Sadhus, holy men known as the followers of Lord Shiva take part in a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

A Sadhu follower of Lord Shiva takes part in prayers inside a temple before a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
A Sadhu follower of Lord Shiva takes part in prayers inside a temple before a religious rally for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT

A Sadhu dressed as Lord Hanuman walks around the temple premise for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
A Sadhu dressed as Lord Hanuman walks around the temple premise for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival inside Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Thousands of sadhus from India and Nepal come to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratri by smoking marijuana, smearing their bodies with ash, and offering prayers devoted to the Hindu Deity Lord Shiva. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT