200,000 devotees throng Maha Kumbha Mela on single day

By Babu Ram Karki,Barahakshetra, May 2: More than 200,000 devotees took a holy dip in the Kaushiki River on the 23rd day of the 12-year Full Maha Kumbha Mela at Chataradham, Sunsari, on Wednesday. 

There is a religious belief that taking a bath in the Saptakoshi River in the 12-year Maha Kumbha Mela will get one rid of all sins and fulfil their desires.  Therefore, thousands of devotees come here to take the holy bath on the occasion.  

According to the Kumbha Mela Organising Committee, the devotees throng in the river every day to take a bath during the month-long Kumbha Mela. The religious fair started on April 9 and will conclude on May 10. 

Ramesh Karki, co-chairman of the committee, said that 200,000 devotees took a holy dip on Wednesday.  

Three of the five Kumbha baths have already been completed and two Kumbha baths will be held on May 8 and 10. 

The first Kumbha bath was performed on April 9, the first Kumbha Shahi bath on April 13 and the second Kumbha Shahi bath on April 23 in the Saptakoshi River.

Similarly, the third Kumbha Shahi bath will be held on the day of Matatirtha Aushi on May 8 and another Shahi bath will be held on the last day of Kumbh Mela on May 10, according to the Kumbha Mela Organising Committee.

The Kumbha Mela is being held at Chatara in Barahkshetra of Sunsari. In the Kumbha Mela, which is known as the world’s largest religious fair, thousands of devotees have been gathering every day.

Religious leaders from Nepal and India, Shankaracharyas, Jagatguru, Pithadhis, Mathadhis, saints and sadhus in large numbers attend the Mahakumbha Mela that takes place on the bank of the Saptakoshi River and take holy bath. 

The Kumbha Mela has been held in Chataradham, which is known as ancient Hardwar, since 2002.

Every six years, the half Kumbh Mela is held in Chatradham and the Full Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.

According to the organisers, over 2.1 million devotees have bathed in the Koshi in 23 days.