The Nepal Weekly 
February 25, 2025
Around one million visitors from Nepal and different parts of India are expected to visit Pashupatinath Temple situated in the bank of Bagmati river in Kathmandu during Mahashivaratri which falls on Wednesday, February 26. Some 4,000 Sadhus and tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims are arriving in Kathmandu to offer prayer at the 5th century revered shrine, according officials at the Pashupati Area Development Trust, that manages the affairs of the temple.
Preparations are almost complete for the grand occasion, and a large number of security personnel and volunteers will be mobilized for security and facilitation of the devotees informed Rewati Raman Adhikari, spokesperson of the Pashupati Trust. A total of 10,000 security personnel and around 5,000 volunteers will be arranged on the day, he said.
The Pashupatinath Temple will open from 2.15 am early in the morning of Mahashivaratri and arrangements have been made to have a darshan of Shiva Linga from all four gates of the temple, he said.
“Mahashivaratri Festival Management Main Committee 2081 B.S” has been formed uder the chairmanship of Minister for Tourism and Culture Badri Prasad Pandey to celebrate the occasion in a grand manner. Similarly ten different sub-committees have also been formed to facilitate the main committee in performing its function.
Meanwhile, Kathmandu District Administration Office has issuing a notice prohibited production, sale, consumption and use of alcohol, meat and fish in the vicinity of Pashupatinath temple area during Mahashivaratri. Alcohol, meat and fish will be banned starting from Monday till Thursday in and around Pashupatinath temple area, as per the notice. Any one violating the rule will be penalized.
Police arrest seven Bangladesh illegal immigrants
Nepal Police have arrested seven Bangladeshi nationals who are over staying and being involved in various suspicious activities from Kathmandu on Sunday. On the basis of a tip off a team of police dispatched fro Kathmandu District Crime Investigation Office, seven Bangladesh national including one Mohmad Atikul Islam, 26 from Thamel and Sorakhutte areas who were staying in the country even after their visa expired, said the police in a statement.
Besides over staying illegally they were also found to be involved in various suspicious activities, said the police without giving details.
They have been sent to the Office of the Immigration Department for initiating necessary legal action, the police added. The arrestees are between the age of 26 and 46.
