The annual Barahakshetra Fair has begun today at the historic and religious site of Barahakshetra Temple in Sunsari district. The fair, which starts every year on Kartik Ekadashi, will continue for 15 days. Thousands of devotees from across Nepal and neighboring parts of India have gathered to participate in the festivities.
Located at the confluence of the sacred Saptakoshi and Kausiki rivers, the Barahakshetra Temple is a revered pilgrimage destination. Every year on Kartik Purnima, devotees visit the temple to take holy baths, perform worship rituals, conduct Rudrabhishek ceremonies, and offer Shraddha (ancestral rituals) for the salvation of their forefathers.
According to Bhakta Shrestha, Chairman of the Barahakshetra Temple Management Committee, more than 300,000 devotees are expected to visit the temple this year. Pilgrims are arriving not only from various parts of Nepal but also from Indian regions such as Bihar, Sikkim, and Darjeeling.
To ensure safety and order during the large gatherings, Inspector Diwas Kunwar of the Mahendranagar Area Police Office said that an adequate number of security personnel have been deployed. He added that special security measures have been implemented to prevent accidents and urged devotees to exercise caution while bathing in the Saptakoshi River.
