“Nepal is a Hindu nation, this is my feeling,” says Shankaracharya of Puri

Nepal is a Hindu nation on the basis of theoretical ground as well as practical ground, said Shankaracharya of Govardhan Muth, Puri, Nishchalananda Saraswoti.

“Nepal is a Hindu nation on the basis of both theoretical and practical grounds, and this is what I feel,” remarked Shankaracharya of Puri, Nishchalananda addressing a satsang prgogramme organized at Shankaracharya Muth in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, where he unveiled a newly installed statue of Aadi Shankaracharya, the 8th century spiritual icon, who propounded Advayita Vendata Philosophy or Non-dualism.

The centuries old temple of Shankaracharya situated near the West gate of Pashupati, was rebuilt recently at the initiative of Pashupati Area Development Trust. The 2015 earthquake damaged the temple, where as the statue, believed to be 600 year old remained intact.

Nischalananda on the occasion shed light on different aspects of Lord Shiva.When the people are engaged in sinful activities they acquire the qualities of Pashu or animal and Shiva will wash away our animal like qualities and sins if we worship and develop faith on him, he pointed out.

A large number of devotees thronged i nto holy Pashupatinath Temple since early morning. The four gates of Pashupati opened at3 am during Mahashivaratri festival. More than 700,000 visited the holy shrine till the night.

Shankaracharya of Govardhan Muth Nishchalananda also performed special pooja at the Shiva Linga during the occasion. Thousands of Sadhus and devotees from India have come to Pashupatinath temple to perform prayers. There was longer than 2 kilometre queue for entering into the temple premises to pay homage to Lord Shiva. However, arrangements are made in such a way that it took not more than one and a half hour for the devotees to offer prayer at the temple.

Free food, drinking water, health care facilities and accommodation has been arranged for the Sadhus by the authorities. Some 7,000 security personnel and 10,000 volunteers have been mobilized in the area for providing security and convenience to the devotees.