Nepal: Devotees throng to Pashupatinath as Shrawan's month nears its end
Thousands of devotees thronged the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu marking the third Monday of the holy month of Shrawan, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the month comes to an end. Month of Shrawan, the fourth month as per the lunar calendar is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is considered even more auspicious if there are five Mondays in the Shravan month, as it doesn't happen every year. The month of Shrawan also marks the start of many festivals for the next seven months until Maghe Sankranti. Fasting on Mondays during Shrawan resembles devotion toward Lord Shiva. It is believed that these fasting help to cleanse the soul and revitalize the physiology of the human body. It is the month of Shrawan when the devotees go out barefoot to the Shiva temple carrying sacred water from the springs and making the offering. As per the devotees, the Bolbam also are referred as "Kanvars", it is undertaken to clean the soul as well as release the pressure from the mind. Devotees undertake fasting and offer prayers to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva during this period.
