5,000 saplings to be planted at Nepal's Pashupatinath temple

Nepal will plant 5,000 saplings in the iconic Pashupatinath temple premises with an objective of beautifying the fifth-century world heritage site with greenery.

The temple is regarded as the most sacred and oldest temple of Lord Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal.

The temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati river.

Minister for Culture and Tourism Rabindra Adhikari initiated the campaign to plant saplings.

Two hundred and fifty saplings of various species including Belpatra, Lothsallo, Chilaune, Lapsi and Parijat were planted at Mrigasthali area of the temple, according to Pravin Dhakal, chief of the Pashupati Area Development Trust.

The trust has decided to allow people to plant saplings in the Pashupati area on special occasions.

The Pashupatinath temple is the holy Hindu shrine where hundreds of thousands of people from different parts of India and Nepal visit annually.