New Delhi, Feb. 16 -- Hindu holy men and mostly young devotees openly puffed on cannabis smoke on Sunday, marking one of Nepal's biggest annual festivals.

Tens of thousands lined up to pray at the Pashupatinath, the temple of the Hindu god Shiva in the capital Kathmandu, during the Shivaratri festival.

Marijuana is usually banned in the South Asian country, but exceptions are made to celebrate Shiva, who has strong links to the practice and has often been depicted smoking pot.

Devotees prayed and danced to religious songs at the temple, a landmark for Hindus who constitute about 81% of Nepal's population. Others from neighboring India also traveled to Kathmandu for the festival.

Across the Bagmati River from the temple, holy men with ...