Pokhara, 17 February | Following the conclusion of the Maha Shivaratri festival, the sacred Pashupatinath temple complex is currently grappling with a significant waste management crisis. Despite the departure of thousands of devotees and the ongoing farewell ceremonies for Naga Babas and other sages, piles of garbage remain scattered across the world heritage site. Local residents and visitors have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), accusing the multi-million dollar institution of failing to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of the nation’s guardian deity’s premises. Former PADT member Gopal Prasad Subedi remarked that it is shameful for such a prestigious site to be buried under refuse, suggesting that efficient management could have prevented this situation.
The accumulation of leftover offerings, plastics, and floral waste has created a distressing environment for post-festival pilgrims. Laxmi Sharma Dahal, a devotee from Kirtipur, shared that visitors are forced to enter the temple while covering their noses due to the stench and sight of the trash. Critics argue that with thousands of employees at its disposal, the Trust’s inability to immediately clear the site is a blow to its reputation. In response to these concerns, PADT Member Secretary Dr. Govinda Tandon acknowledged the visible litter caused by the massive influx of millions of devotees. He stated that cleanup operations have already commenced and assured the public that the entire Pashupati area will be fully restored to its clean state by Thursday. This recurring issue highlights a persistent gap in the Trust’s annual festival management strategy.
