Celebrating Shivaratri
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.
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.
A holy man smiles as he talks to visitors at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple.
Another sadhu cleans his teeth using a twig.
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.
A holy man peels an apple during the celebrations.
A sadhu smokes marijuana at the festival.
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.
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.
