Traffic Management Tightened in Pashupatinath Area for Mahashivaratri

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has deployed 890 traffic police personnel to ensure smooth traffic flow and crowd management during the Mahashivaratri festival in the Pashupatinath area. A comprehensive security and traffic management plan has been implemented to facilitate devotees’ movement and maintain order.

In addition to uniformed personnel, plainclothes traffic officers have been deployed to monitor potential vehicle theft. Authorities have urged visitors to park their vehicles in designated safe areas to prevent any security incidents.

To accommodate the large influx of devotees, designated parking areas have been set up at Tilganga Eye Hospital, the corridor road across Sifalchaur and Guheshwari, and the Bankali area, which will also house fire engines, ambulances, and drinking water tankers. Parking spaces have been allocated at the Pashupati Area Development Trust Office and Sifalchaur for vehicles with passes, while security personnel will park at Gaushala Police Circle.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Binod Ghimire, separate parking spots have been assigned for vehicles entering through various checkpoints. Special measures have been taken to ensure a hassle-free movement for devotees coming from distant locations. If congestion increases near Gaushala, vehicles will be diverted through alternative routes to prevent gridlock. Traffic police have been strategically placed along corridor roads and internal roads to ensure smooth flow.

Vehicles can operate freely in Chabahil, Gaushala, and Tilganga, but may be rerouted if heavy congestion occurs. Goods vehicles traveling from Tinkune to Sinamangal, Bouddha to Gaurighat, and Purano Baneshwor to Gaushala and Mitrapark will be restricted. Vehicles coming from the Bagmati Corridor and Jorpati via Chabahil must park beyond Guheshwari. If heavy congestion occurs at Gaushala Chowk, traffic from Chabahil, Purano Baneshwor, Maitidevi-Ratopul, and Sifal Chaur to Jaya Bageshwori will be diverted to alternative routes.

A central command center under a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been set up to monitor traffic flow in real-time. Additional personnel will be deployed if needed, considering the crowd volume.

Traffic Police Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjay Bahadur Raut assured that law enforcement is fully committed to ensuring a hassle-free darshan experience for devotees and visitors. Special traffic management measures will also be in place near other Shiva temples across the valley to accommodate anticipated crowds.

Parking Arrangements

Tilganga Eye Hospital
Corridor Road across Sifalchaur and Guheshwari
Bankali area (reserved for fire engines, ambulances, and drinking water tankers)
Pashupati Area Development Trust Office and Sifalchaur (for pass-holding vehicles)
Gaushala Police Circle (for security personnel’s vehicles)

Vehicles can operate freely in Chabahil, Gaushala, and Tilganga, but may be rerouted if heavy congestion occurs.
Goods vehicles traveling from Tinkune to Sinamangal, Bouddha to Gaurighat, and Purano Baneshwor to Gaushala and Mitrapark will be restricted.
Vehicles coming from Bagmati Corridor and Jorpati via Chabahil must park beyond Guheshwari.
If heavy congestion occurs at Gaushala Chowk, traffic from Chabahil, Purano Baneshwor, Maitidevi-Ratopul, and Sifal Chaur to Jaya Bageshwori will be diverted to alternative routes.

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