Celebrating Shivaratri

Celebrating Shivaratri

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The Shivaratri festival brings Hindu devotees flocking to Kathmandu's ancient Pashupatinath temple each year.

During the celebrations dedicated to the god Shiva, holy men gather at the historic site and observe the occasion by praying, smoking marijuana and smearing their bodies with ash.

. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

The Hindu holy men are among many people who come to take part in the temple’s celebrations for Shivaratri, which this year falls on February 27 and is celebrated by Hindus around the world.

. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

As part of the occasion, the holy men - also known as sadhus - smoke marijuana. Though the drug is illegal in Nepal, during the event it is permitted as a religious ritual for ascetics.

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A Hindu holy man stretches out his ash-covered hand beside a fire.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A Hindu holy man stretches out his ash-covered hand beside a fire.

A holy man – also known as a sadhu – sits beside a fire after smearing his body with ashes.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A holy man – also known as a sadhu – sits beside a fire after smearing his body with ashes.

A holy man smiles as he talks to visitors at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A holy man smiles as he talks to visitors at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple.

Another sadhu cleans his teeth using a twig.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Another sadhu cleans his teeth using a twig.

A holy man looks into a mirror as he applies paint to his forehead and neck.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A holy man looks into a mirror as he applies paint to his forehead and neck.

Holy men play traditional instruments during the Shivaratri festival.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Holy men play traditional instruments during the Shivaratri festival.

A holy man peels an apple during the celebrations.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A holy man peels an apple during the celebrations.

A sadhu smokes marijuana at the festival.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A sadhu smokes marijuana at the festival.

A sadhu recites a prayer from a holy book at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A sadhu recites a prayer from a holy book at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple.

A holy man changes his clothes after taking a bath by Bagmati River, which flows through the temple premises.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A holy man changes his clothes after taking a bath by Bagmati River, which flows through the temple premises.

Young priests watch devotees at the temple a day before the Shivaratri festival.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Young priests watch devotees at the temple a day before the Shivaratri festival.

A trident known as a "Trishul” is pictured in front of a Hindu holy man.
. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A trident known as a "Trishul” is pictured in front of a Hindu holy man.

. KATHMANDU, Nepal. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Pashupatinath Temple is illuminated in the early morning during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu.