Electricity Reaches Historic Munika Dham in Kanchanpur, Ending Decades of Darkness for Pilgrims

Kanchanpur. Regular electricity service has reached the religious tourist site of Muda (Manika Dham) in Shuklaphanta Municipality-8 for the first time. Previously, devotees were forced to perform worship in darkness.

The Nepal Electricity Authority's Mahendranagar Distribution Center has initiated electricity supply after installing a 'transformer' by erecting 82 poles over approximately five kilometers from Muda to Dharapani at a cost of about Rs 6.5 million. The entire work, including pole erection, wire pulling, insulator installation, and transformer placement, was completed through a contract process.

With the expansion of electricity service, bulbs have been installed in the temple premises, the newly constructed Bhajan Ghar (devotional hall), and surrounding areas, illuminating the site. Locals say that operations for evening worship, Aarti (ritual of light), and religious programs, which were previously difficult, are now convenient.

Ward No. 9 Chairman Ramesh Bahadur Aire noted that the expansion of electricity service has brought ease to conducting religious activities. "Previously, devotees had to suffer due to darkness; now the temple premises are bright," he said.

According to former chairman of the Dham area, Bharat Bahadur Aire, with electricity service available, religious programs, satsangs (spiritual discourses), and bhajans (devotional songs) at the Dham area can now be conducted systematically even at night. "We have illuminated the Dham area by installing bulbs around the newly built Bhajan Ghar and the temple," he added.

Manika Dham, considered important from a religious and tourism perspective, hosts a traditional fair (Jaat) every year on the night of the ninth and the day of the tenth of the bright half of the month of Falgun. This year, the fair is scheduled for Falgun 13 (today) and 14. Thousands of devotees from Nepal and India visit here with the belief that seeing Baidyanath Baba grants their wishes.

The bright illumination has now made Manika Dham even more attractive, and it is believed that this will contribute to the promotion of tourism in the area. With the expansion of electricity service, devotees visiting at night during this year's fair will not have to suffer from darkness. The availability of electricity service is expected to bring new energy to religious programs, night worship, fair operations, and local trade and business.