Thousands of Hindu devotees thronged Shiva temples across Nepal on Monday to mark the third Monday of the holy month of Shrawan, one of the most sacred periods in the Hindu calendar dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The largest gathering was witnessed at the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, where devotees began arriving before dawn to offer prayers and seek blessings. Carrying offerings such as holy water, flowers, milk, and belpatra, worshippers waited patiently in long queues, creating a vibrant atmosphere of faith and devotion throughout the temple premises.
Sacred Rituals Define the Holy Month
The month of Shrawan holds immense religious significance for Hindus, particularly devotees of Lord Shiva. Mondays during the month are regarded as especially auspicious, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Shiva temples across the country. As part of the traditional rituals, devotees offered holy water, belpatra (the sacred trifoliate leaves of the bael tree), flowers, fruits, milk, and other offerings while praying for peace, prosperity, good health, and the well-being of their families. Many also observed day-long fasts and participated in special religious ceremonies and devotional chanting.
Special Arrangements at Pashupatinath Temple
To accommodate the large influx of worshippers, the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) opened all four gates of the Pashupatinath Temple, allowing devotees to enter the shrine more efficiently. The Trust also made special arrangements for participants of the annual Bol Bom pilgrimage, a popular religious journey undertaken by Shiva devotees during Shrawan. Four dedicated queues were established to facilitate smoother entry for Bol Bom pilgrims and ease congestion within the temple complex. Security personnel, volunteers, and temple staff were deployed throughout the day to manage crowds, maintain order, and assist devotees.
Major Shiva Temples Witness Heavy Footfall
The spirit of devotion extended far beyond Pashupatinath, with thousands of devotees visiting several other renowned Shiva temples across the Kathmandu Valley. Large crowds were reported at Gokarneshwar Temple, Nageshwar Temple, Doleshwar Mahadev Temple, Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, and Makhan Mahadev Temple, often referred to as the “Smaller Pashupatinath” due to its religious significance and proximity to the historic Basantapur Durbar Square. Many devotees visited multiple temples as part of their religious observance, while others spent hours chanting prayers, performing rituals, and participating in devotional activities.
A Celebration of Nepal’s Spiritual Heritage
The observance of Shrawan Mondays remains one of Nepal’s most significant annual religious traditions, reflecting the country’s rich spiritual heritage and enduring Hindu cultural values. Every year, the holy month brings together thousands of devotees from across the country, reinforcing the importance of faith, community, and centuries-old religious customs.
Authorities have urged worshippers to follow temple guidelines, cooperate with security personnel, and help maintain cleanliness at religious sites. With the remaining Mondays of Shrawan still to come, Shiva temples across Nepal are expected to continue drawing large numbers of devotees seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva.
