Kathmandu, Sept. 6 -- If there is one place in Kathmandu that resonates deeply with both pilgrims and travellers, it is the sacred grounds of the Pashupatinath Temple. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its history is believed to date back to around 400 BC, making it one of the oldest and most revered Hindu temples in Nepal. Among its many rituals and traditions, the evening aarati has become a spectacle that visitors from near and far eagerly await.

The experience is far more personal and profound for those who gather along the Bagmati River. Some come out of deep devotion, others seek peace or answers to unspoken questions. A few are drawn simply by the crowd's energy, or to capture the ritual on camera, while others arrive wi...