Five-day Lhuti Punhi Mela to begin on Saturday

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Apr. 11: The five-day Lhuti Punhi (Baisadhara) Mela is set to begin on Saturday, April 12 at the historical religious site of Balaju in Kathmandu. 

During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Thursday, Prakash Balami, Coordinator of the Balaju Baisadhara Mela Management Committee, informed that all preparations for the Mela have been completed, with a focus on ensuring the safety and convenience of devotees.

Celebrated annually on the day of Chaitra Shukla Purnima, the festival draws devotees from across the country. 

The Mela spans five days and includes ritual bathing at the sacred Baisadhara, worship of Lord Vishnu (Bal-Nilkantha) at a small eastern pond and prayers to Vipashwi Buddha at the peak of Nagarjun. 

Statues of Nagarjun Mahadev and the serpent deity (Nag) are located there. 

It is widely believed that bathing in Baisadhara on this auspicious day cures skin diseases and visiting the Sitalamai temple, popularly known as Pyath Ajima, provides relief from smallpox and other ailments.

According to Balami, security and crowd management will be supported by the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, traffic police, scouts and local volunteers. Emergency medical services, including first aid, ambulances and a command post, will be in place. Arrangements have also been made for stalls promoting traditional Newari food and culture, drinking water and clean toilets.

Security will be intensified from Balaju Chowk to the Balaju Bypass area through coordinated efforts with the security personnel.

As part of the fair, the five-day Khat Jatra holds great cultural significance and is considered the largest festival in the northeastern region of Kathmandu. 

It features four key deities; Lauri Binayak Ganesh (Old Guhyeshwari), Shwet Binayak Ganesh of Balaju, Jitguru Ganesh of Lolang and Bajrayogini.