Thousands of Nepali Hindu devotees thronged the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu today, as it marks the last Monday of the holy month of Shrawan.

According to the record from the Pashupati Development Trust, about one lakh fifteen thousand devotees thronged the temple from 4 am to 12 pm (local time) on Monday. All four doors of the main temple complex were opened to facilitate and ease the worship.

Monday, known as Sombaar in Devanagiri is derived from the Sanskrit name "Soma" meaning Lord Shiva and "baar" means day. Month of Shrawan, the fourth month according to the lunar calendar is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is considered even more auspicious if there are five Mondays in the Shrawan month.

The month of Shrawan also marks the start of many festivals for the next seven months until Maghe Sankranti (1st day of Magh). Fasting on Mondays during Shrawan resembles devotion toward Lord Shiva. It is believed that this fasting helps to cleanse the soul and revitalize the physiology of the human body.