This year, the sacred Ganga Dussehra bath at Gosaikunda witnessed a significant rise in the number of pilgrims. Over 1,600 devotees participated in the ritual, as reported by Langtang National Park.
From Jestha 25 to Ashadh 2, the park office recorded 887 women and 800 men taking part in the holy bath. Conservation Officer Milan Sapkota highlighted that this year’s attendance marked a 30% increase compared to the previous year.
To ensure the safety of the pilgrims traveling to the high-altitude site at 4,380 meters, a joint patrol team of the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police was deployed, informed Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Keshav Bhattarai from the District Police Office, Rasuwa.
Among the pilgrims, 49 were foreign nationals, and over 100 individuals traveled to Gosaikunda by helicopter for the event. Officer Sapkota further mentioned that by June 15 of the current fiscal year, a total of 21,518 Nepalese had visited Gosaikunda.
Historically, pilgrimages to Gosaikunda during Ganga Dussehra lasted for ten days and for five days during Janai Purnima, making it a 15-day annual tradition.
Pilgrims can travel from Kathmandu to Dhunche by motor vehicle, and from there, they can stay overnight at locations like Khanti, Deurali, and Chandanbari. Accommodation and dining facilities are available in Gosaikunda, Lauribinayak, Cholangpati, Chandanbari, Dimsa, Deurali, Khanti, and Tiwari Bagar, according to Nisan Gajurel, District Chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.
