Hindu holy men freely smoked marijuana while hundreds of people lined up at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu to mark Shivaratri, which is the festival for the Hindu god Shiva. Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is one of the most revered temples for Hindus and is popular among pilgrims. The festival is also famed for the open smoking of marijuana, even though it is classified as a narcotic and punishable by jail terms. Police officers were patrolling the area and keeping close watch but were not stopping them. Nepal was famous for marijuana and other narcotics in the 1960s, when hippies made their way to the Himalayan nation. Shops and tea houses used to advertise and sell it legally. However, marijuana was outlawed in 1976. It remains illegal with its use punishable by up to a month in jail for users and 10 years for traffickers. (Mar. 8)
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Hindu devotees celebrate at Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu for Shivaratri festival

Hindu holy men freely smoked marijuana while hundreds of people lined up at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu to mark Shivaratri, which is the festival for the Hindu god Shiva. Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu is one of the most revered temples for Hindus and is popular among pilgrims. The festival is also famed for the open smoking of marijuana, even though it is classified as a narcotic and punishable by jail terms. Police officers were patrolling the area and keeping close watch but were not stopping them. Nepal was famous for marijuana and other narcotics in the 1960s, when hippies made their way to the Himalayan nation. Shops and tea houses used to advertise and sell it legally. However, marijuana was outlawed in 1976. It remains illegal with its use punishable by up to a month in jail for users and 10 years for traffickers. (Mar. 8)
 
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