KATHMANDU:  As the festival of Maha Shivaratri approaches, ascetics or “Hindu holy men” including Sadhus and Naga Babas, have started arriving in Kathmandu from neighboring India as well as from various parts of Nepal.

On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, one of Hindus’ major festivals, they arrived in Kathmandu today in a ceremonial procession and entered the Pashupatinath Temple through Gate No. 1.

Among the four sects of ascetics — Sannyasi, Vaishnav, Nanak, and Udasi — Naga Babas belong to the Sannyasi sect.

On the occasion of the festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, saints from these four different sects gather at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With just two days to go before Maha Shivaratri, the number of devotees visiting the Pashupatinath Temple premises has increased. The Pashupati Area Development Trust has intensified preparations and management for the festival.