Hundreds of thousands of devotees crowded a revered Hindu temple in Nepal's capital for a festival as coronavirus cases decline and life returns to normal, AP reports.

Around a million devotees were expected to visit the temple to Hindu god Shiva on Shivaratri, one of Nepal's most cherished festivals.

Temples, schools and markets have begun to reopen in recent weeks as the number of Covid-19 cases declines.

Hindu holy men sing religious songs as they gather at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu on March 1. — Reuters
Hindu holy men sing religious songs as they gather at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu on March 1. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

IT appears that the PPP is in a comfortable position to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan after Sunday’s...
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...