Service with Heart: Volunteering at Mahashivaratri

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." This timeless wisdom perfectly captures the spirit of Leo Club of Kathmandu Himalayas Patan's "Water Distribution and Line Management Volunteering Program" conducted on March 8, 2024 (Falgun 25, 2080), during the sacred festival of Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath Temple.

Beginning in the pre-dawn darkness at 5 AM, club members arrived at one of Hinduism's most revered temples, ready to serve the thousands of devotees who would gather throughout the day to honor Lord Shiva. While most of Kathmandu still slept, these young volunteers were already arranging water stations, coordinating their positions along the temple queues, and preparing for a day dedicated entirely to the service of others.

Meeting Essential Needs with Environmental Mindfulness

Shivaratri at Pashupatinath draws massive crowds, with devotees often standing in line for hours to offer prayers inside the main temple. Recognizing the physical demands this places on pilgrims—many of whom maintain fasts during the festival—the Leo Club focused on providing hydration support that would sustain devotees through their spiritual journey.

The club's approach demonstrated thoughtful planning that balanced immediate human needs with broader environmental concerns. Rather than using conventional plastic cups that would generate significant waste, volunteers distributed water in paper cups, reflecting their commitment to environmental stewardship even while addressing urgent community service needs.

"Our goal was to serve people while respecting the sanctity of both the occasion and the environment," explained one volunteer. "The paper cups allowed us to provide essential hydration while minimizing our ecological footprint."

This environmentally conscious approach extended to comprehensive waste management protocols implemented throughout the day. Volunteers strategically placed waste collection points and conducted regular sweeps to prevent litter accumulation. After the event, the team conducted a thorough cleanup operation, returning the sacred grounds to a pristine condition—another form of service to both visitors and the historic site itself.

Beyond Water: Comprehensive Support

While hydration formed the core of their service, the Leo Club's efforts extended far beyond simple water distribution. Understanding the physiological demands of long temple queues, volunteers also provided glucose and fruit juice to help devotees maintain their energy levels throughout their wait.

Perhaps most significantly, club members played a crucial role in queue management, helping to maintain orderly lines, assisting elderly and disabled devotees, providing information about expected waiting times, and offering guidance on temple protocols. This comprehensive approach to service addressed both physical comfort and logistical support, significantly enhancing the devotional experience for visitors.

Throughout the day, club members served over 1,000 people—a remarkable achievement that transformed what could have been an exhausting vigil for many devotees into a more comfortable spiritual experience. The impact was particularly meaningful for elderly pilgrims, for whom standing for extended periods would have been especially challenging without the refreshment and assistance provided by the Leo volunteers.

Leadership Through Service

The presence of Leo Saroj Mahato, District President of Leo District 235P, Nepal, highlighted the program's significance within the broader Leo movement. His participation not only provided experienced leadership but also demonstrated the importance of leading by example—with the district's highest officer personally serving alongside club members.

The program's success reflected careful organizational planning, with volunteers arranged in shifts to ensure consistent service throughout the day while preventing exhaustion among team members. This thoughtful approach to volunteer management ensured that those serving remained energetic and engaged, maintaining high-quality interactions with devotees from the early morning hours until the program's conclusion.

As Nepal's oldest existing Leo club, the Kathmandu Himalayas Patan chapter has established a tradition of community service that continues to set standards for youth service organizations throughout the country. Their Shivaratri program exemplified how established service traditions can be maintained while incorporating contemporary concerns such as environmental sustainability.

Community Impact Beyond Immediate Service

While the immediate impact of providing water and assistance to pilgrims was readily apparent, the program generated broader community benefits that will resonate well beyond Shivaratri. The visible presence of young volunteers selflessly serving others created a powerful demonstration of civic engagement and compassion, potentially inspiring similar service commitments among observers.

The event also significantly raised awareness about the Leo Club itself, introducing many community members to the organization's mission and activities. This increased visibility may translate into new membership interests, additional service partnerships, and greater community support for future initiatives.

Most importantly, the program strengthened the social fabric of the community by creating meaningful connections between volunteers and those they served. In a society sometimes divided by differences, the universal language of compassionate service created bridges of understanding and goodwill among diverse participants united in the shared experience of a sacred tradition.

The Continuing Journey of Service

As the Leo Club volunteers concluded their service day at Pashupatinath, they carried with them not just the satisfaction of tasks completed but the profound inner transformation that comes from selfless service. True to the program's guiding philosophy—"सेवा नै धर्म हो" (Service is Religion)—they had practiced a form of spiritual discipline through their dedication to others' wellbeing.

The club extends heartfelt appreciation to the Pashupati Development Trust, temple authorities, resident sadhus who offered guidance and blessings, and all volunteers whose tireless efforts made the program a remarkable success. Their collective commitment transformed a simple hydration service into a meaningful demonstration of community care and shared humanity.

As they look toward future service opportunities, the Leo Club of Kathmandu Himalayas Patan carries forward the lessons learned and connections formed during this significant day of service. Through their continued embodiment of the principle that "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others," these young leaders continue building a stronger, more compassionate community one act of service at a time.