Marijuana, holy men and almost two million devotees: Hindu god Shiva celebrated in Nepal

Almost two million people have gathered at a temple in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu to celebrate an annual festival dedicated to Hindu god Shiva.

A sadhu, or holy man, manages his hair during the Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri at the Doleshwor Temple in Kathmandu AAP Image/ EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA Source: AAP Image/ EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA

The festival known as the Mahashivaratri was celebrated on Friday at UNESCO heritage listed Pashupatinath temple located alongside the revered Bagmati river. 

Mahashivaratri celebrates the life of Shiva, who according to Hindus is said to be one the three gods responsible for the creation, upkeep and the destruction of the world.

"There were also many young people who were very connected to their culture - bridging the old and new"

According to Hindu mythology, Shiva smoked marijuana, and his followers are keen to receive his blessings by smoking marijuana during the festival.

Pashupatinath Temple during Eve of Maha Shivaratri Festival celebrated at Kathmandu on Sunday, March 03, 2019.(Photo Narayan Maharjan/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Source: NurPhoto

In 2018, authorities banned the use of marijuana at the temple citing alleged illegal selling of the substance by the holy men to festival visitors.

The holy men disagree with the allegation saying they’re sharing “God's blessing” with the followers.

Nepali officials say more than ten thousand Hindu “Sadhus” or ascetics are again gathering this year, in and around the Pashupatinath temple precinct. 

Up until 1995 the trust responsible for looking after the temple used to distribute marijuana to the holy men says Kathmandu Post.  

However, on Monday many sadhus with dreadlocks, some naked and some with ashes smeared on their bodies, were seen smoking marijuana in a pipe made of clay called “Chillum”.

Australian visitor Sarah Thapa celebrated the Shivaraatri Festival in Kathmandu's Pashupatinath Temple for the first time. Photo: James Breeze Source: James Breeze

Australian Sarah Thapa was one of the tourists gathered at Pashupatinath temple to experience the festival. 

The first time visitor of the festival says she was struck by the diversity of people gathered there and the inclusiveness the locals showed towards her. 

“I had women call me their daughter and made me feel welcome”, says Thapa, who is also the co-founder of a non-profit organisation FONA. 

“We are in Nepal for FONA’s projects but extended our stay especially to see the festival”, she told SBS Nepali. 

"There were also many young people who were very connected to their culture - bridging the old and new", says Thapa.

A sadhu, or holy man, smokes marijuana from a clay pipe at the Pashupati Temple in Kathmandu, during Maha Shivaratri. AAP Image/EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA Source: AAP Image/EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA