The Risheshwor Temple in Teku has witnessed a large influx of devotees as they gather for the annual Saptarishi Puja on Bhadra Shukla Panchami. Devotees from the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas have flocked to the temple to participate in the traditional worship ceremony.
The religious practice involves women visiting rivers, ponds, or lakes to brush their teeth with herbal twigs (dativan) and then worshipping the seven sages, known as the Saptarishi—Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadwaj, Vashishta, Jamadagni, Gautama, and Vishwamitra—along with Arundhati. It is believed that worshipping these sages, along with the spider deity (Makuri), fulfills desires and brings family happiness, peace, and spiritual merit.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 12 opened the temple to the public at midnight for the event. To ensure security and crowd management, teams of security personnel, scouts, and volunteers have been deployed. Ward Chairman Bal Krishna Maharjan mentioned that special arrangements have been made for women observing the Teej fast to have easy and quick access to the temple, and elderly and disabled individuals have been given special provisions to bypass long lines.
The ward has also cleaned the temple, applied fresh paint, and arranged streetlights to ensure the area is well-lit and safe for the devotees. The temple grounds have seen a large number of women offering donations and participating in rituals performed by Brahmin priests. Volunteers from various social and religious organizations, as well as representatives of the Red Cross, are assisting the devotees. A health camp has been set up for basic medical check-ups.
In case of any health emergencies, an ambulance has been stationed near the temple to transport patients to the hospital. Traffic around the temple has been redirected, with alternative routes in place for vehicles traveling from Teku to Kuleshwor and Sanepa. Additionally, devotees have been seen performing traditional music and dance in groups within the temple premises, adding to the festive atmosphere.
