(Image source from: wikimedia.org)

The famous Pashupatinath Temple is Nepal closed during the first phase of lockdown in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The temple has finally opened in December and Hindu devotees are sitting with oil lamps at the temple in Kathmandu for worship. The temple will now remain open from 6 AM to 12 PM every day.

After establishing the COVID-19 protocols, the revered Hindu shrine has re-opened for devotees on Wednesday morning. The Pashupati Area Development Trust declared that they will be adhering to COVID-19 protocols while allowing devotees to visit the temple.

Before opening the temple on Wednesday, the priests at the temple performed an atonement worship on Tuesday morning to seek forgiveness for opening the gates after going on a long hiatus.

The temple was closed for a long period and prohibited any entry due to the risk of transmission of the corona virus.

Visitors are now allowed to visit the temple without wearing a face mask.

The re-opening was only for visitors and devotees to worship but special puja, singing of hymns and ritual activities will not start immediately as they have been suspended to adopt health safety procedures.

The PADT states that they have increased security at the temple and are limiting the number of visitors who visit the temple at a period of time. The temple suffered losses of around 700 million due t the pandemic.

Although puja and hymn singing services are not available at the moment, regular prayer and worship, food offering, ‘aarti’, and the crematorium services will be continued during this period.

By Meena Atmakuri