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The head priests of the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu have a message for couples: take your canoodling elsewhere. Last month, they decided to impose penalties on public displays of affection at the historic Hindu temple complex in eastern Kathmandu, saying testily that “lovebirds” are often seen kissing and hugging in an area devoted to Shiva—who is, completely incidentally to the umbrage, of course, one of the most libertine of the Hindu gods. Temple officials say that security guards will keep a lookout for violators, who could face fines from 200-500 Nepali rupees for exhibiting “amorous behaviour”. One official also says that the new policy will keep away drug users and other troublemakers. Maybe not: many Hindu temples in India are teeming with couples snogging in the many recesses.
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