By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jan. 17: The sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath opened on December 16 after remaining shut for nine months. Since then, it has been attracting a large number of visitors, almost comparable to the pre-pandemic days, said Dr. Milan Kumar Thapa, treasurer of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).
“Mondays and Saturdays are especially crowded,” he said.
Going into detail, Dr. Thapa informed nearly 1 million devotees, all Nepalis, visited the shrine in the Nepali month of Poush and Rs. 1.9 million was collected from their offerings.
Thapa told The Rising Nepal that the PADT enforced health and safety measures on the visiting pilgrims.
“However, they do not seem to be serious about protecting their health,” he remarked. “It is mandatory for all visitors to wear masks. But many only put it on at the gate and take it off once they are inside. They also take it off when taking photos,” he observed.
The Trust monitors the worshippers strictly for COVID-19. It only allows them to enter and exit from the western gate of Pashupati where it has installed thermal cameras to measure their body temperatures. People are also made to stay five feet apart when standing in line.
Despite opening the temple, the PADT has not yet resumed special pujas and other specific prayer ceremonies. Only normal worship is allowed.