"customary practices"

#13320645

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic prepares marijuana in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320653

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic prepares marijuana in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320678

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic prepares marijuana in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320691

15 February 2026

Shaivite ascetics smoke marijuana in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320641

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic poses for a photo in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320655

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic poses for a photo in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320634

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320674

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320676

15 February 2026

Shaivite ascetics dance in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320686

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320693

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320697

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320706

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320707

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320708

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320709

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic is pictured in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal as well as India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is also held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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