Shivarati, the Hindu festival devoted to the worship of lord Shiva, was observed yesterday in Nepal. Pashupatinath, which is regarded as the holiest Hindu temple, saw crowds of pilgrims in hundreds of thousands flocking from all over the nation and as far as India.
The hermits who have devoted their lives in the name of lord Shiva are called Babas or Sadhus (pictured), who are always the highlight on their day. They are known for giving up material possessions to live an ascetic life. They are normally scantily clad and sport long beard and dreadlocks, and their faces and bodies are covered in ashes. Purist Babas, also called Naga Babas, survive on the remains of bodies which are cremated in Pashupati area, next to the holy river called Bagmati. Apart from their ghostly appearance and gastronomical habits, Babas are notorious for consuming marijuana as a sacred offering of Shiva. In fact, during Shivaratri, marijuana is legalized in the nation, which, besides worshiping in the temple, is the main activity in the premises of Pashupatinath. On this day, the neighborhoods in the country are brightly lit with bonfires, which are set by Hindus to appease lord Shiva.
These pictures portray Babas and pilgrims fraternizing in Pashupatinath to mark this spectacular and lively festival, indeed a representation of the unique and exotic Nepalese culture.
