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Winds of change in Pashupati

Saturday - 31st October 2009

In an attempt to attract visiting pilgrims in greater numbers, the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) is planning to take steps to improve temple facilites, say PADT officials. Making the area spacious and maintaining cleanliness are the PADT’s top priorities.

At present, the PADT is attempting to maintain the shops surrounding the temple premises. “The flower shops here were completely unmanaged; it used to take even ambulance a long time to reach the temple,” said Sushil Nahata, member secretary of the PADT, regarding the change “We have also successfully managed other, bigger shops in the area.”

There are 26 shops on lease, as well as over a hundred flower shops surrounding the temple. The PADT fetches up to Rs. 700, 000 each month by renting out space for these shops. The PADT also plans to manage the parking area at the southern entrance to the temple to generate more revenue. Besides these changes, two monthly religious functions also are on the agenda.

If things go according to plan, the trust also aims to establish at least two vegetarian restaurants in the premises in the near future. According to officials, one is to be established at the Bankali Dharmasala, while a suitable venue for the other is yet to be decided. “We have received numerous complaints that the temple premises lack vegetarian restaurants,” said Nahata. “If the plan works out, the restaurants will be a great convenience to visitors.”

The PADT is currently looking at ways in which it can attract religious tourists from all over the world. “As it is an important sacred temple for all Hindus, we want to develop this site,” said Narottam Vaidhya, Treasurer of PADT. “Hindus around the world should see the Pashupatinath temple as a holy place, one that they should visit at least once in their lifetime, in the way Mecca stands for Muslims all around the world” added Vaidhya.

PADT has also asked Non Resident Nepalis (NRNs) to help generate funds from the diaspora Nepali community across. “We have requested NRNs to donate 1 dollar per person if possible,” said Vaidhya. “If the plan, which is going to be initiated from Malaysia and the UK in its first phase, can be implemented fully, the PADT can raise a huge sum of money for the development of the temple. This amount can then be invested for the construction of a university and other educational institutions.”


Source ekantipur