Kumbha Mela in Barahkshetra from April 9

Photo:barahamun.gov.np

Dharan, March 28

The Mahakumbha Mela in Chataradham is all set to be held this year from April 9 to May 10 in Barahkshetra Municipality-1 of Sunsari.

Some three million pilgrims are expected to visit the grand fair, said Joint-Chair of the organising Committee and Mayor of Barahkshetra Municipality, Ramesh Karki.

Meanwhile, 80 per cent of the preparation for the fair has been completed, said the vice president of the main organising committee, ward president of Barahkshetra-2, Hom Prasad Gautam.

In Barahkshetra, the Kumbha Mela has been organised since 2002, with the Ardha Kumbha Mela held every six years and the Purna Maha Kumbha Mela every 12 years. Kumbha Mela has been organised in four places in India— Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Nashik (Maharashtra) and Haridwar (Uttarakhand).

It is said that the Kumbha Mela is being organised in this area as the Barahkshetra located on the banks of the Saptakoshi River and the Pindeshwar Dham of Dharan are linked with the Kumbha Mela, a gathering of Hindu devotees held four times over twelve years, as per Hindu Mythology.