Devotees crowd Nepal temple as COVID-19 cases decline

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of devotees are crowding a revered Hindu temple in Nepal’s capital for a festival as coronavirus cases decline and life returns to normal. On Monday, only 180 new infections were reported, down from a peak of over 9,000 per day in January. Around a million devotees were expected to visit the temple to Hindu god Shiva on Shivaratri, one of Nepal’s most cherished festivals. During the festival, devotees fast all day and visit the temple and take dip in a river. The festival is also famed for the open smoking of marijuana, which remains illegal. A group of governing party lawmakers and activists are currently campaigning to allow its production and use.