More Indians visit Pashupatinath Temple after PM Narendra Modi's visit

KATHMANDU: The number of Indian devotees visiting Pashupatinath Temple here for special pooja has gone up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the 5th-century shrine during his visit to Nepal earlier this month, temple authorities have said.

According to the chief of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Govinda Tondon, the number of people visiting the temple for performing special worship has increased following the live broadcast of Modi's special pooja by various Indian channels.

Among the devotees visiting the shrine so far are Bollywood actor Anupam Kher and South-Indian actor Chiranjeevi, who have performed special pooja at the temple, Tondon said.

Chiranjeevi offered Rs 2 lakh for the special pooja and Anupam Kher donated Rs 5,100 for the pooja, he added.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi had spent 30 minutes for the special pooja while donating 2,500 kgs of white sandalwood worth more than Rs 2 crore to the temple.

Many telephone enquiries about the special pooja have come after the visit paid by Modi to the temple, Tandon said.

According to Treasurer of the Trust, Taranath Suubedi, the number of Indian nationals performing special worship and visiting the temple went up after Modi's pooja, resulting in the increase in income generation for the temple.

Around 150 special pooja are performed everyday at the fifth century old temple.

Temple's authorities record shows the majority of devotees performing special pooja are Indian nationals.

Pashupatinath temple, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world. It dates back to to 400 AD, and houses the holy phallus of Lord Shiva.