Kathmandu: On the occasion of the third Monday of the month of Saun (according to the lunar calendar), this morning, Pashupatinath Temple, along with other Shiva temples across the country, is filled with devotees.
As the third Monday of Saun is known for attracting a large crowd of devotees, Gaurishankar Parajuli, the head of the Pashupati Area Development Trust’s Cultural Conservation Branch, announced that the four doors of the Pashupatinath area have been opened from 3 AM today.
On this third Monday of Saun, there has been an increase in the number of devotees who come to Pashupatinath Temple to offer prayers and take a holy bath in the Bagmati River. The Bol Bam pilgrims’ association has organized a Bol Bam Yatra (pilgrimage) from Sundarijal to Pashupatinath, which has contributed to the increased crowd of devotees visiting Pashupatinath.
During the month of Saun and on Mondays, which are considered auspicious for Lord Shiva, people believe that offering prayers, worship, and taking a holy bath in the river will fulfill their wishes, and Lord Shiva will be pleased. Due to the high number of devotees, preparations similar to those made for Teej and Mahashivaratri have been made for today’s occasion at the Pashupatinath area.
Apart from the regular devotees who perform special worship and rituals at the Pashupatinath and other Shiva temples on this Monday of Saun, this year, there is an additional lunar month (Adhikmas) in the Hindu calendar. Thus, there is a difference of opinion among religious scholars regarding whether observing fasts on this Monday of Saun is valid or not.
Even today, on this third Monday of Saun, among the throngs of devotees at Pashupatinath and other Shiva temples, there are many devoted women. On the occasion of this Monday of Saun, devotees are also gathered at other Shiva temples such as Gokarneshwar, Nageshwar, and the small Pashupatinath in Vasanthapur across the country.