The annual pilgrimage to Chhayanath Dham, recognized as one of the four holy sites in the world, has officially begun. The journey commenced after the revered idol of Lord Shiva from the Chhayanath Temple, located in Chhayanath Rara Municipality-2, Chainagaun, was ceremoniously carried by the priests along with musical bands and security personnel towards Chhayanath Dham in the Mugumkarmarong Rural Municipality, formerly Dolpu VDC.
Every year, on the auspicious occasion of Shrawan Shukla paksha Ashtami, the idol of Chhayanath Thakur is moved to the sacred Chhayanath Dham, marking the start of the pilgrimage. This year, the idol was transported on Monday and will remain at the Chhayanath Temple until Janai Purnima.
Pilgrims from various regions including Mugu, Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Dolpa, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Bajura, Achham, and Doti, along with shamans, visit Chhayanath Dham for blessings and worship during this period. The temple’s priest, Sanat Kumar Hamal, shared that a five-day ritual of worship and sacred rites, including homa and vrata, is observed at Chhayanath Dham during Janai Purnima, attracting devotees from across the country who come to seek blessings.
Chhayanath Dham holds significant spiritual importance, believed to be the place where the final remains of Sati Devi fell as Lord Shiva carried her body across the land. Due to this, Chhayanath is revered as the eldest of the four Dhams, with devotees flocking to the site during Shrawan Shukla Purnima, believing that their sins will be absolved and their wishes fulfilled through the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims often perform rituals such as Shraddha, Homa, and Bratabandha, and seek blessings before returning home. Some come to be initiated as shamans, while others seek to purify themselves and their spiritual tools.
Among the four holy Dhams of Hinduism, Chhayanath Dham is regarded as the highest. On Tuesday, pilgrims will also visit another religious site, Rinimokshya Dham, located within the district, where they will carry idols of 33 crore deities and celestial beings for worship. This site, like Chhayanath, also attracts devotees from Mugu and beyond.
