Remembering departed souls [In Pictures]

KATHMANDU: Devotees from across the country have gathered at the Pashupatinath Temple and other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva to light an eternal flame in memory of the deceased souls in their families.

They spend the night on the temple premises and, early the next morning, on the day of Bala Chaturdashi, immerse the flame in the river or water bodies. Afterward, they disperse Satbij, or seven types of seeds – paddy, barley, sesame, wheat, gram, maize, and finger millet, as they walk along the prescribed path around the temple.