Gosainkunda religious fair halted

Kathmandu - The Gosainkunda religious fair that takes place at Gosainkunda, a pilgrimage site in Rasuwa district, has been halted this year. The fair takes place every year on the occasion of Janai Pooornima (the full moon day in the Nepali month of Saun or Bhadau as per the lunar calendar).

The Gosainkunda Area Development Committee, the body responsible for the management of Gosainkunda area, said the special religious fair that takes place from the day of Putrada Ekadashi till Janai Poornima festival (July 30 to August 3 this year) has been put off in abidance to the government's decision not to let people congregate at shrines and temples in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A press note issued here on Friday by Committee president Sanjeev DM states that all types of managerial works including arranging the temporary huts for the devotees to rest and stay overnight on their onward journey to the pilgrimage site have also been closed. A religious fair takes place each year at Gosainkunda for 10 days during the Ganga Dashahara festival and for five days on the occasion of Janai Poornima festival.

Committee president DM added that the Dashahara festival was also cancelled in the month of Jeth due to the coronavirus pandemic. He shared that the committee shall continue with the services that need to be undertaken at the pilgrimage site once the COVID-19 comes under control.