With the Maha Shivaratri festival less than a week away, preparations are in full swing for one of the biggest Hindu festivals dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Pilgrims and Sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India have started thronging the Pashupatinath Temple to observe the festival.

The festival falls on Friday this year. Around five thousand Sadhus from Nepal and India are expected to show up at Pashupat area in Kathmamdu this week to take part in the festivities of Maha Shivaratri.

(Photos by Keshav Thapa, Dawaa Milann, Nimesh Jang Rai)