Shaligram installed at Bansgadhi Palace area

By Gokarna Paudel

Tulsipur, Feb. 5: Shaligram, a sacred fossilised stone worshipped as lord Bishnu, weighing 251 kg, has been installed on Bansgadhi Kalika Malika Temple premises in the winter palace area of the king of Chhillikote.

Before the unification of Nepal, the Bansgadhi Palace area in Dang district served as the winter residence of the king of Chhillikote. Rishiraj Sharma, a resident of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-19, facilitated the installation of the Shaligram at the temple.

Sagar Regmi, Secretary of the Kalika Malika Temple Management Committee said, "Since kings are regarded as the incarnation of lord Bishnu, placing the Shaligram in the palace area holds great religious significance." The Shaligram was brought from Kagbeni in Mustang district.

According to Regmi, permission was obtained from the District Administration Office, Mustang, following recommendations from Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City ward-19 and the District Administration Office, Dang, to transport the stone to Dang.

The Shaligram was consecrated on the temple premises on Tuesday. Deepak Paudel, a local, expressed hope that the installation of Shaligram would boost religious tourism.

Premnath Yogi, chairperson of Ward No.19 of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, informed that the Jyangte Jaruwa, which is mythologically associated with the Bansgadhi royal palace, has been preserved.

He also mentioned that efforts are underway to conserve the temples and shrines in the palace area.