Tourism Info Nepal

Maipokhari to Host Two-Day Multi-Religious Festival on Haribodhini Ekadashi

Maipokhari to Host Two-Day Multi-Religious Festival on Haribodhini Ekadashi

The revered religious and tourism site Maipokhari, located in Sandakpur Rural Municipality-3, is set to host a two-day multi-religious festival in celebration of Haribodhini Ekadashi. Organized by the local committee, the event aims to develop Maipokhari as a religious tourism center, promote interfaith harmony, and establish it as a multi-dimensional research site, according to festival chairperson Prem Nachiring Rai.

Scheduled for Kartik 26 and 27, the festival will feature various Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat religious leaders conducting worship and chanting ceremonies. “The event is organized to boost tourism at Maipokhari, with religious discourses and scenic viewings planned,” said Rai.

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit Maipokhari’s diverse landmarks, including the Satydhuni Pathshala, Shiv Temple, sacrificial sites, hermit huts, Buddhist monasteries, and the scenic Yumanthan viewpoint. Additionally, religious discourses from Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat traditions will be shared. The festival will also showcase cultural performances, traditional attire, ethnic cuisines, and local produce such as flowers, potatoes, radishes, organic tea, and vegetables.

The organizers aim to attract around 50,000 domestic and international tourists and devotees. To accommodate visitors, homestay facilities have been arranged, said Nirmala Niraula, the committee’s treasurer.

Maipokhari, situated at an altitude of 2,121 meters, is known for its nine-sided lake and is believed to fulfill the wishes of devotees who perform rituals there. The lake spans two hectares, surrounded by a 12-hectare sensitive wetland, which takes on a picturesque look when the fog clears.

Every year, large religious gatherings occur at Maipokhari during Haribodhini Ekadashi and New Year celebrations. This year’s expanded festival is expected to contribute significantly to the promotion of Maipokhari as a tourist destination, committee member Lila Bhattarai shared.

Listed as a Ramsar site in 2008 during the Ramsar Convention’s tenth meeting in Changwon, South Korea, Maipokhari has received international recognition. Located 13 kilometers north of Ilam’s district headquarters via Biblayante Bazaar, the route to Maipokhari is a mix of paved and unpaved roads, making it an adventurous yet rewarding journey for visitors.

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