Kathmandu, Nepal – Ahead of Maha Shivaratri, the Pashupati Area Development Fund and Nepal Police declared Pashupatinath Temple a no-cannabis and no-bhang zone, reinforcing Nepal’s existing ban on these substances. However, as in previous years, these restrictions were largely ignored by festival attendees.
Photo of Pashupatinath TempleShivaratri, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva, often sees widespread cannabis use, as many devotees associate the substance with religious practices. Despite official warnings, cannabis consumption and sales continued, with disguised traders posing as sadhus openly selling bhang and marijuana in the temple vicinity.
Authorities had issued strict prohibitory orders, yet enforcement remained weak. The Pashupati fund and law enforcement repeated their announcements, but the influx of pilgrims and tourists made it difficult to control the situation.
With Shivaratri 2025 expected to see even larger crowds, authorities face the ongoing challenge of maintaining religious traditions while enforcing Nepal’s cannabis laws.
Will the government tighten regulations next year, or will tradition prevail?
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