Baitadi's Tripura Sundari Jatra begins

By Our Correspondent

Baitadi, Nov. 3: The jatra with animal sacrifice has kicked off in famous tourism destination Tripura Sundari Bhagwati Temple in Baitadi. The temple is enlisted in the top 100 tourism destinations of Nepal.

The jatra falls every year on Kartik Shukla Astami, informed mukhiya of the temple Chandra Singh Thapa. Even thousands of Indian pilgrims visit the temple with he-buffaloes to sacrifice to the goddess to bring their prayers come true. Around 15 to 20 buffaloes would be brought form India, he added. Indian pilgrims come from Pithauragadh, Almoda and other places of the country. It is expected them to arrive on Tuesday evening.

There is a tradition of worshiping the goddess by staying awake for three days and three nights. Many locals who had migrated to different places return to their ancestral place during the jatra, informed priest Bishnu Dutta Lekhak.

In a year, 62 religious activities are carried out in the temple. They include each new and full moon, first day of every month, Kartik Sukla Paksha and four nawaratri, Lekhak said.

How to worship Tripura Sundari?

The temple is located 3 kilometres away from West Jhulaghat road section of Baitadi headquarters Gothalapani. Goddess Tripura Sundari is also known as Ranshaini Bhagwati.

The roof of the temple built in pagoda style is made up of copper. In 2020 Tourism Year, Nepal government had enlisted the temple in top 100 tourist destinations. 

Indian pilgrims come to the temple by crossing suspension bridge in Jhulaghat of Mahakali River. Since there is no concrete bridge at Nepal-India border Jhulaghat, the pilgrims carrying buffalo risk their life while crossing the river. There is a possibility of increase in the number of Indian pilgrims arriving at the temple if concrete bridge could be constructed in Jhulaghat.