Pokhara, 17 February | In accordance with a centuries-old tradition, the Guthi Sansthan and the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) are bidding farewell to thousands of Sadhus and saints, including Naga Babas, today following the conclusion of the Maha Shivaratri festival. The farewell ceremony, traditionally held on the day of Falgun Krishna Aunsi, involves providing Dakshina (monetary offerings) and food to the holy men who arrived at the Pashupatinath Temple on the day of Falgun Krishna Ekadashi. Deepak Bahadur Pandey, a former official of the Guthi Sansthan, noted that this custom dates back to 1774 AD (1831 BS), established by Jagat Jung, the eldest son of Jung Bahadur Rana. To honor this tradition, the Sansthan has allocated a budget of approximately NPR 4 million this year, with significant portions dedicated to ritual firewood and farewell offerings.
The farewell process is meticulously organized through a color-coded card system—Red, Blue, White, Yellow, and Green—distributed to the Sadhus upon their arrival. These cards determine the amount of Dakshina based on their spiritual rank and sect. This year, the Sansthan has increased the travel allowances for holy men coming from outside Nepal to ensure they can comfortably reach their respective borders. Over 4,000 Sadhus from various sects are currently residing in different akhadas around Pashupati, including the Gorakhnath Math, Ramchandra Temple across Aryaghat, and the Bhashmeshwar and Nirmala Akhadas. PADT Treasurer Shreedhar Sapkota explained that while Sadhus were historically bid farewell from Kalmochan Ghat in Thapathali—believed to bring peace to the souls of those lost in the Kot Massacre—the ceremony is now primarily centered at the western gate of the Pashupatinath Temple.
The PADT has independently prepared a budget of NPR 800,000 for Dakshina, with individual offerings ranging from NPR 101 to NPR 5,001 depending on the sage’s seniority. Additionally, the Trust is presenting holy Rudraksha beads offered to Lord Pashupatinath throughout the year as a parting gift. This administrative transparency in handling offerings, which was strictly implemented in 2012 (2068 BS), has reportedly led to the accumulation of NPR 150 million in the Trust’s donation boxes over the years. As the holy men prepare to return to their forests and caves, the distribution of nearly 50,000 kilograms of firewood and organized meals marks the spiritual conclusion of one of the world’s most significant Hindu pilgrimages.
