Devotees Conclude Third Pilgrimage of Madhavnarayan Vrat at Changu Narayan Temple

Kathmandu. Devotees observing the Madhavnarayan fast since Poush Shukla Purnima at Shalinadi in Sankhu took a holy dip at Sadaha in Changu Narayan and worshipped Madhavnarayan by placing the deity at the main temple of Changu Narayan.

It is an ancient tradition for the fasting devotees of Madhavnarayan to bathe at Sadaha and place the chariot of Madhavnarayan at Changu Narayan for worship on the day of Magh Shukla Dwadashi every year. After completing the worship at Changu Narayan today, the devotees return to Sankhu to eat meals at their respective homes, as per the fasting ritual.

After the fasting devotees return to Sankhu from Changu Narayan and have their meals at home today, the Bhimsen Jatra is performed in Sankhu. The tradition is to parade the Bhimsen Jatra around the Sankhu market.

The fasting devotees reached the Changu Narayan Temple at 10 PM on Thursday night for the third pilgrimage. This is the third pilgrimage during the month-long Madhavnarayan fast, which runs from Poush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima. Previously, the devotees completed pilgrimages to Pashupati, Seshanarayan in Dakshinkali, and Panauti in Kavrepalanchok.

The pilgrimage to Changu Narayan for Madhavnarayan takes place on the night of Magh Shukla Ekadashi, according to Bikashman Singh, Chairman of the Shri Madhavnarayan Swasthani Brat tatha Shalinadi Sudhar Committee, who informed that the devotees reached Changu Narayan at 10 PM on the night of Magh Shukla Ekadashi for this purpose. This is also the final pilgrimage for this year.

Since Poush Shukla Purnima, which was on Poush 19, there has been a rush of devotees bathing at Shalinadi in Sankhu and worshipping Madhavnarayan and Shri Swasthani Parameshwori Devi. Consequently, public transportation to Sankhu and Shalinadi is crowded. Passengers are traveling crammed together. Devotees have complained that public transport conductors are charging excessive fares, taking advantage of the fair.

Many devotees visit Shalinadi in Sankhu on public holidays and Saturdays. Every year, the Madhavnarayan fast is observed by bathing at Shalinadi in Sankhu from Poush Shukla Purnima to Magh Shukla Purnima. During this time when the Shalinadi fair is held, devotees from various parts of the country as well as from abroad visit Sankhu.