Nepal observes festival Shivaratri

KATHMANDU, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Nepal celebrates the Mahashivaratri festival, one of the greatest festivals of Hindus across the country by offering prayers to lord Shiva on Thursday.

Devotees from different parts of Nepal and of south Asia, mainly India, have arrived at Pashupatinath temple. For this greatest festival of Hindus, devotees throng at the temple to offer prayers to lord Shiva for their and their loved one's well being.

Pashupatinath temple, one of the world culture heritage sites in Nepali capital Kathmandu, is considered as the most sacred place in Nepal. The temple premises were decorated with glittering lights and colorful papers for the last couple of days ahead to mark the festival.

Babas (Hindu saints) are always one of the main attractions of the shrine.

Most of the Babas came especially for Mahashivaratri (or Shivaratri) all the way from India. The number of Babas has gone up this year by 500 according to local leading news website THT Online. Last year, the number was 2,000. Different volunteer institutions have managed places for Babas there to provide them shelters and food.

Likewise, famous shrines of Lord Shiva across Nepal were also crowded with enthusiastic pilgrims from all over the country and India.

Over 300,000 Hindu devotees from Nepal and India are expected to attend this year's Shivaratri festival in Nepal.

Named after the night on which Lord Shiva appeared on earth to appease a devotee who had worshiped him all night, the festival is one of the most sacred nights mentioned in the Hindu holy books. The worship of Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across Nepal and India.

On this day devotees observe fast and have a unique drink prepared by mixing Bhang (Marijuana) in milk.