Today, the Doleshwor Mahadev Temple in Sipadol, recognized as the head of Kedarnath, has witnessed a substantial influx of devotees on the first Monday of Shrawan. This day, significant for Hindu worshipers, has seen a large gathering at the temple, marking the beginning of the Shrawan month.
According to Dharma Raj Basnet, the Chairman of the Doleshwor Mahadev Temple Preservation and Development Committee, the temple has been bustling with visitors throughout the day. To manage a large number of devotees, volunteers have been deployed to ensure that visitors can complete their darshan (viewing of the deity) within half an hour.
The committee has estimated that approximately 200,000 domestic and Indian tourists will visit Doleshwor during the 38-day fair, with Saturdays and Mondays being particularly crowded. Despite the heavy footfall, arrangements have been made to facilitate darshan and puja (ritual worship) within an hour of queuing, according to Basnet.
The temple’s experience with offerings and donations during the Shrawan fair has led to savings of around NPR 5 million. With an increase in Indian tourists this year, the committee expects to raise approximately NPR 12.5 million through offerings and donations.
For devotees participating in the Panchsnaan (ritual bathing), arrangements have been made to issue receipts worth NPR 1,100 for purchasing materials required for the ritual. These devotees can then use the eastern gate of the temple for darshan, as informed by the committee’s General Secretary, Harisharan Basnet.
In addition to the Doleshwor Mahadev Temple, the Aashapuri Mahadev Temple in Sipadol has also been experiencing a heavy turnout since the morning. This temple, known for fulfilling wishes, has seen thousands of visitors.
The Guru Dattatreya Temple in Bhaktapur, which is believed to house forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev, has also been crowded since early morning. Despite the rain, thousands of devotees have visited the temple. Volunteers and police have been managing the queue, which extends up to one kilometer, with a token system to ensure orderly darshan.
Resident Kamala Shrestha noted that the token system has enabled a smoother experience for devotees, allowing them to complete their worship and darshan with ease.
Throughout Bhaktapur, various temples including Gupteshwor, Somlingeshwor, Anantalingshwar, Nandikeshwor, Latteramshwor, Suvarneshwar, Kailasheshwor, and Charkhandeshwor are also hosting large crowds, adding to the festive atmosphere of Shrawan.
