Residents of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 in Myagdi have effectively utilized over NPR 850,000 collected from religious offerings and cultural events for community development. The funds were gathered during the Janai Purnima festival at the sacred Khyarbharani Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,600 meters, and from cultural programs held in the village.
Hari Prasad Tilija, President of the Paudwar Ward Development Committee, reported that NPR 449,645 was raised from offerings at the lake, NPR 268,885 from the cultural event, and NPR 135,000 from donations. The total amount has been allocated to various development projects, cultural preservation, sports, and health initiatives.
According to Tilija, NPR 317,955 was spent on cultural program prizes and festival management. After expenses, NPR 534,575 was distributed to different organizations and projects. Contributions included NPR 250,000 for road construction between Kotlekhore and Chhimi, NPR 70,000 for Paudwar Secondary School, NPR 45,000 for the Paudwar Mother’s Group, NPR 30,000 for a volleyball fund, NPR 29,575 for the Ward Development Committee, NPR 30,000 for the Pukhriyauli Dance Group, NPR 25,000 for Khyarbharani Youth Club, NPR 25,000 for Gibang Ward, NPR 25,000 for Paudwar Drainage, and NPR 10,000 for the Paudwar Health Unit.
The Janai Purnima fair at Khyarbharani Lake, held on Bhadra 3, involved sacrifices of 238 sheep and goats. The tradition involves these offerings as part of fulfilling vows made during the festival. The lake, located at the base of the Barah Shikhar peak in the Annapurna Himalayas, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including panoramic mountain views and pastoral landscapes, making it a captivating destination for tourists.
