Sages and Saints at Pashupati Bid Farewell: Alms Distributed Based on Designation

Sages and saints, including Naga Babas, who arrived at Pashupatinath for worship and prayers on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, have been bid farewell.

On Tuesday, the Guthi Sansthan and the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) bid farewell to the sages and saints in front of the Pashupatinath Temple by offering them alms (dakshina). The Sansthan informed that sages and saints, including Naga Babas from various akharas in Nepal and India, were bid farewell with alms ranging from Rs 551 to Rs 11,000.

Sushila Sharma, head of the Pashupati Branch Office of the Guthi Sansthan, shared that it is a tradition to bid farewell to the sages and saints, including Naga Babas, every year on the day of Phalgun Krishna Amavasya.

She explained that cards are distributed to the sages and saints, including Naga Babas, based on their respective designations, and alms are provided accordingly.

There is a custom where the Trust adds half the amount to the alms provided by the Sansthan to bid farewell to the sages and saints. From Falgun Krishna Ekadashi to Amavasya during Mahashivaratri, the Trust also provides food, accommodation, and firewood for the sacred fires (dhuni) for the sages and saints.