Around 700,000 devotees are expected to visit the Pashupati temple on the occasion of Teej festival on Thursday.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), 2,764 Nepal Police and 1,500 Armed Police Force personnel will be mobilised in and around the temple for crowd control and security. They will be supported by around 4,000 volunteers.

As Teej is primarily celebrated by women, the main temple complex will be off limits to men on the day of the festival, said Pradeep Dhakal, member secretary of the PADT.  

Female devotees can make their way into the main temple complex through the three entrances facing Mitrapark, Jayabageshwori and Bankali areas, he added.

Teej,  also known as Haritalika, is celebrated by Hindu women by observing fast and worshipping Lord Shiva, praying for their husbands’ longevity.

Unmarried women also observe the festival to pray for good husbands.