A Hindu holy man smokes marijuana at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple on the eve of Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

PHOTOS: Hindu holy men smoke marijuana at Nepal’s Shivaratri festival

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Hindus across the world are celebrating Shivaratri, or the night of Shiva, observed on a moonless night annually and believed to be the day when Shiva got married.

The holiday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of death and destruction.

Nepal temporarily lifts its ban on marijuana use for the festival each year so that holy men, traditionally called Sadhus, can perform rituals. These photos from the festival that show holy men smoking marijuana were taken by Associated Press photographer Niranjan Shrestha on Feb. 13, 2018.

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A Hindu holy man helps another to smear his body with ash and vermilion powder at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple during Shivaratri festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Hindus across the world are celebrating Shivaratri, or the night of Shiva, observed on a moonless night annually and believed to be the day when Shiva got married. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)