Shree Om Bakreshwor Mahadev
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Will Post-Conflict Swasthani Mela Entice Pilgrims at Shalinadi?
By DIL BAHADUR BASNET
When asked, “How did you come alone to watch swasthani mela at Shalinadi,” Shyam Pudasaini from Nawalpur of Henapaye-11 in Makwanpur replied, “Since kins have turned foes, others remain dear. They all whom we notice from here are friends!” His philosophical response encouraged me to delve further into the matter of finding out whether there was a possibility of huge mass turning up at the religious fair following the end of conflict.
It was on the 5 th January, the third day of the fair that commenced from the full moon.Bratalus (devotees who engage in special fasting) were already congregated at the specified spots between holy Shalinadi and sacred Pipal tree. There were children, adults, old people, pundits and priests to pay reverence to the idols of Ganesh, Krishna , Mahadev, Ram, Sita, Hanuman, Satyanarayan, Badrinarayan, Nagnageni, Harihar, Goma, Nawaraj, Chandrawati and Her two carriers at both sides of Salinadi.
Interestingly, Anil Shrestha, a grade VII student of Shree Bhagyodaya Higher Secondary School , Sankhu Bus Park was expecting sanctimonious visitors at the pair of footsteps of Chandrawati. He said, “One’s wishes are fulfilled once it is worshipped.” He also explained that he got through the sixth grade with good marks.
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Salinadhi : Festival Mode |
To quote an elderly priest Krishna Prasad Bhandari from Gaurighat of Pashupati, “There were many visitors on the full moon day and they stayed till late evening. More visitors are likely to come after the new moon.”
“We were terrified of firing between the Maoists and security personnel last year. We feel safe this year,” related a young priest Rajan Tiwari, Patalekhet-4, Kavre. He added, “The divine beings are put in with different identities every year and likely to increase, as marked by pious people.”
Meanwhile, a few priests flocked at the idol of Chandrawati with ecstasy to express that pilgrims were dashing from every nook and corner of the country from Taplejung, Birgunj and India too, and a number of shops and hotels have emerged. On the other hand, they complained that they were displaced by Shree Janak Janaki Siddhartha Dharma Karma Sewa Sangh (SJJSDKSS) from their usual site so that they would manage themselves with the rented space of local landlords, which they had never faced till last year.
“Having felt secured this time, we have hired a mini hotel. Till now, it’s not profitable but I am quite optimistic,” states Manu Maya Shrestha, Thimi-7, Bhaktapur.
“This year, there are about 270 bratalus, compared to 230 a year back. Deity-followers have also drastically risen,” informed Laxmi Prasad Giri, Chairperson, SJJSDKSS.
According to his estimates, around Rs 22 lakhs would be further incurred (in case copper is not donated) for the copper-made roof of Ashtamatrika Shree Swasthani Matako Mandir which is being constructed. The total cost of the temple construction has been estimated at Rs One crore. In the meantime, he could not help appreciating the philanthropic contributions rendered by local people and devotees.
The temple is in dire need of 2000 kilograms of copper, and hence the SJJSDKSS is looking for at least one kilo of copper from the contributors. Since its (temple construction) 85 percent is completed, there remains only 15 percent of work due including the settlement of roof and decoration.
The temple deserves attention of our government to provide every aid possible in connection with the indispensable facilities (e.g. a rest-house with security, a motorway with parking, a rest room) for bratalus, saintly people and tourists/travellers, as observed by him.
He also criticized the government of being indifferent to such a popular temple and religious site, where around 50,000 people assemble every year. “May the government take away the land from the local people by pleasing them with apt compensation,” he wished.
As everybody had more or less the same view about the significant growth of devotees and shrine, there is yet a reverse opinion from a priest Jagat Prasad Subedi, Goldhab VDC-4, Jhapa. He remarked, “After the reinstatement of peace, over 60 percent of people have already gone back to their respective home towns. So, only those limited people with spiritual heart, jobless people, and wanderers might visit the swasthani mela. But the inevitable circumstances (e.g. strikes, processions with slogans) are sure to distract them. It seems there will be drop of around 60 percent in the number of visitors, compared to previous years.”
Whatever different views were poured by the visitors at the shrine depending on the prevalent scenario, pilgrims will definitely increase from the percentage point of view irrespective of the return of out-of-Kathmandu valley-dwellers to their respective home towns at this juncture. Owing to the fact that the Nepali peace lovers are devoted to Gods and Goddesses, nothing will prevent them from attending the pilgrimage site at Sankhu Bajrayogini, Shalinadi.
(Basnet is an internee)
