The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has been turning back the devotees coming for special worship at the temple after the priests (Bhattas) halted the special worship since April 9 demanding an increment in their share of the offerings (Dakshina) made by the devotees.

The PADT is bearing a loss of around Rs. 400,000 daily from the halt in special worship.  The priests are paid 7.5 per cent from the money collected as offerings in connection to the special worship.

People perform the special worships as per their capacity based upon the criteria and fee determined by the PADT. The PADT charges Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 900,000 fee for performing special worships.The priests at the temple perform the special worships for the devotees depending on the nature of special worships.

Around 100-200 devotees perform special worships and the PADT takes Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 2,100 from majority of them.

However, other regular worships and religious activities are being carried out at the temple daily, said Member-Secretary, Dr. Govinda Tandon. He said the PADT has been holding talks with the bodies concerned for the increment of facilities to the priests in tune with the time.

PADT gets Rs. 50 million annually from the special worships and the main priest of the Pashupatinath temple is paid Rs. 220,000 and the other priests Rs. 170,000 as salary.