Preparations for the Maha Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath Temple have intensified, with sadhus and ascetics arriving from India and other countries to participate in the annual religious celebration.

On the eve of the festival, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) organised a procession across the Pashupati area. The event saw participation from sadhus and saints from Nepal and abroad, as well as local devotees.

PADT estimates at least 800,000 devotees will visit the temple on Maha Shivaratri, while around 4,000 sadhus are expected to be present during the festival.

Subhash Joshi, executive director and spokesperson of the Trust, said arrangements have been made to manage the large crowds through four separate queues to ensure smooth and orderly homage to Pashupatinath. He added that special attention has been given to security, health services, sanitation and traffic management.

The Trust claimed that it has also arranged pedestrian routes at major entry points to the Pashupati area and designated separate lanes for emergency vehicles to ensure quick response if required.

"Temporary accommodation, food and security arrangements have been made for sadhus arriving from Nepal, India and other countries, and specific areas have been designated for their stay to maintain order and discipline within the temple premises," Joshi said.

Several sadhus have already reached Kathmandu and are staying in the Pashupati area, while more continue to arrive ahead of one of Hinduism’s most important festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva.