Preparations over for one-month long fair at Swoyambhu

Kathmandu, July 24: The Swoyambhunath area that falls in the World Heritage List was massively cleaned today on the eve of the commencement of a month-long festival.     

The month-long cultural fair targeting the Buddhist community will kick off on Friday, the first day of the bright fortnight in the Nepali month of Shrawan as per the lunar calendar.     

Swoyambhunath Mahasamiti Chair Vikshu Dharmamurti Mahashthabir said papers, plastic and glass materials collected during the cleanliness was sent for recycling while the remaining biodegradable will be sent for the disposal in the landfill site.     

Daubing and fixing of street lamps have been carried out in the area to be covered by the fair celebrations organised yearly.     

Devotees arrive here to pay homage to the Buddhist shrine on the occasion of the festival that falls in the ninth month of the Nepal Sambat.     

It is believed that offering worship to the Swoyambhunath during the fair will help one's ancestors find the 'heavenly' experiences, said Mahasamiti secretary Chandra Ratna Buddhacharya.     

Devotees from the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding areas will observe the fair, it is said.(RSS)