Hyderabad: Kathmandu temple look-alike turns 50

Moti Nagar: The Shiv Mandir at SPR Hills in Moti Nagar turned 50 this year. The Nepalis who settled in the city built the temple in 1970s, based on the architecture of Katmandu's famous Pashupathinath Temple.

"This year we are renovating the temple with a budget of Rs 50,000. We celebrated 50th anniversary recently. All necessary flower decorations, lightings and sound systems will be made for Shivaratri which is to be observed on Friday," said Rajjan Sahi, the president of the temple.

"Nepali's marks Shivaratri in our temple every year, not only from Hyderabad but devotees from different states and countries visit the temple. The structure of temple replicating the Katmandu's Pashupathinath temple is the major attraction, who could not fulfill the dream of visiting the Katmandu's Shiva Mandhir every year come. The night jagran is led by Nepali pujaris performing special rituals.

Shivratri would be celebrated in a grand note every time at this temple with a footfall of more than 50,000 devotees. During other festivals, close to 10,000 attend. "On an average, 3,000-5,000 Nepali Hindus devotees regularly visit the temple," Raajan, the president of the temple.

The walls of temple are painted in orange-red colour, while steps and the boundaries are coloured white. Orange-red colour is considered sacred, said a committee member. Painting of Lord Shiva adorns the wall of the temple, the lighting, sound system and flower decorations works are going on at brisk space. The developmental activities are done from the donations. Temple committee members say that there is a need to improve storage room and rest rooms.