Thousands of Hindu women thronged the Pashupatinath temple on Thursday to worship Lord Shiva on the occasion of Haritalika Teej.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, around 700,000 devotees visited the shrine on the day.

Decked in red saris and kurtas and adorned in all sorts of ornaments, women from different age groups, both married and unmarried, entered the temple premises from three designated routes starting 3 in the morning till late on Thursday evening.

Due to a heavy movement of devotees, traffic between the Tribhuvan International Airport and Gaushala was disrupted throughout the day.

“Although it rained for a while, there was no decrease in the number of devotees who came to worship at the main temple,” said Pradeep Dhakal, member secretary of the PADT. The Pashupatinath area reverberated in the music of Teej songs to which women danced tirelessly. The trust had assigned the Bankali area for the cultural performances.

Hindu women celebrated the festival across the country, to share the message of sisterhood by gathering at their parental home, indulging in jubilant dancing and singing. Starting with early morning bath, women celebrated the festival paying homage to Lord Shiva by lighting lamps and with fasting.

Prez, Veep extend greetings

President Bidya Devi Bhandari extended her best wishes to all the Nepali women on the occasion of the great festival.

In her message on Thursday, President Bhandari said the constitution of Nepal has ensured rights of women, adding that the recently concluded local level polls and upcoming ones would promote women leaders.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun also expressed his best wishes to all Nepali women for their happiness, peace, prosperity and good health on the occasion.