By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Sept. 3: Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred shrines of Hindus from across the world, is finally preparing to reopen its doors for the devotees targeting upcoming Teej festival, after remaining shut for five months.

“We are waiting for the direction of the District Administration Office to reopen the temple and preparing how to open and manage the crowds after reopening, said Bhola Prasad Sitaula, director of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

“We have already sent a letter asking permission to reopen it. When the reply comes, we’ll fix the date,” he said. 

Pashupatinath temple, along with Guheshwori and other temples of the Pashupati area, has remained closed since mid-April in light of the resurgent coronavirus pandemic in the Kathmandu Valley.   

He added that the temple would reopen complying with all the health safety, including social distancing, use of face masks, and sanitisers. 

Earlier, the temple was reopened on December 16, after remaining shut for nine months.

In the initial days, the temple was opened from 6.00 am to 2.00 pm, but that schedule was revised after seeing a few days’ atmospheres on the temple premises.