Preparation in full swing for Maha Shivaratri in Nepal

Kathmandu [Nepal], Feb. 19 (ANI): At least five thousand saints from Nepal and India are expected to arrive at the Pashupat area in Kathmamdu this week to join the festivities of Maha Shivaratri here.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust has arranged lodging and fooding for the arriving saints around the 'Pashupat Kshetra'.

"We are expecting about 5,000 sadhus, santas and mahatmas from Nepal and India. They will live in different ashrams. The Naga babas will live in the complex of Pashupatinath," Member Secretary of Pashupati Area Development Trust, Dr. Govinda Tandan told ANI.

The Maha Shivaratri, which falls on February 24, will host over a million pilgrims from Nepal as well as India. The Pashupati Area Development Trust has geared up for this and is set to complete the preparations a day before the festival.

The trust has allocated Rs. 50 lakh for the management of the crowd on the day of Shivaratri. However, it has reduced its budget in comparison to the previous years with a target to increase the participation of private sectors in the management.

"For security, we have an integrated program. And we are trying our best to implement it," said Tandan.

The trust has also cancelled the provision of tickets for entering the temple and the management body will also not issue any sort of pass to its staff to enter the temple on that day.