On the auspicious occasion of Haribodhani Ekadashi, devotees gathered early at the renowned Changunarayan Temple in Bhaktapur, a site of significant historical and religious importance. According to Chief Priest Chakradhar Anand Rajopadhyaya, large numbers of worshippers have visited the temple since morning to pay homage to the temple’s deity, the oldest of the four Narayans and revered as a form encompassing the essence of all four Narayans in a single idol.
There is a deep-rooted belief that visiting all four Narayan temples—Changunarayan in Bhaktapur, Shesh Narayan in Kathmandu, Ichangu Narayan, and Bishankhu Narayan in Lalitpur—brings divine blessings and fulfills desires. However, it is said that visiting Changunarayan first holds particular significance, and for those unable to visit all four, worshipping at Changunarayan alone is considered equally meritorious.
According to priest Rajopadhyaya, Haribodhani Ekadashi marks the day Lord Vishnu awakens from his slumber in Ksheersagar, making this day especially auspicious for worship. People also adorn the basil plants they planted on Harishayani Ekadashi in Ashadh, celebrating by decorating Tulsi altars, adorning them with garlands, and symbolically marrying Tulsi to Lord Damodar. Traditional customs on this day include observing a fast and refraining from rice dishes, with devotees instead enjoying dishes made from local root vegetables like yam, tarul, and sweet potatoes.
The Changunarayan Municipality has managed the festivities for the first time this year, enhancing the temple’s appeal by setting up welcome gates at all four entry points and decorating the temple with lights, that shine brightly in the evening. Mayor Jeevan Khatri stated, “We have cleaned the steps, temple premises, and surrounding areas, and the entire temple is illuminated with decorative lights. We’ve set up welcome gates at the main temple entrance and around Changunarayan.”
The municipality also organized volunteers and medical facilities to ensure smooth worship for devotees, and Deputy Mayor Ramesh Budhathoki reported that he conducted an inspection last night to oversee the arrangements for the festival-goers. He informed that devotees can access the temple through various roads and entry points, including Deochha and Byasi in Bhaktapur Municipality, and Taukhel, Duwakot, and Mulpani in Kathmandu, with full traffic management in place.
In celebration of the fair, Changunarayan Municipality has declared a public holiday today. Mayor Khatri confirmed that the municipal executive body decided to grant a day off for all offices within the municipality, including ward offices, health centers, educational institutions, and other public institutions, except for essential services.
To ensure orderly worship and management of the festivities, Mayor Khatri added that volunteers, scouts, and police personnel are deployed throughout the temple premises.
Source: RSS
