10,000 devotees visit Gosainkunda

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Rasuwa, Aug. 11: This year’s annual religious fair at the sacred Gosainkunda Lake, which begins on Nag Panchami and concludes on Janai Purnima (Full Moon Day of Shrawan Shukla), saw the participation of nearly 10,000 devotees.

 Pilgrims took a holy dip in the lake and worshipped Lord Shiva with deep faith and devotion.

During the high-altitude pilgrimage, six individuals who fell ill and one person with disabilities were rescued and brought to the district hospital, according to District Police Officer Hematra Bahadur Shahi. All of them are reported to be in stable condition.

To ensure health services during the fair, joint efforts were made by Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa Hospital, Public Health Office, YCL (Young Communist League), and the All-Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary). 

Over 1,500 pilgrims were examined at the health camp near the Buddha Temple in Gosainkunda-5, while around 2,500 individuals received treatment and necessary medication through camps operated by YCL and All-Nepal National Free Students Union (Revolutionary).

Situated at an altitude of 4,380 metres above sea level, Gosainkunda poses risks of altitude sickness. In response, security and rescue teams from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Himalayan Rescue Association, youth groups, and Langtang National Park were mobilised to provide free health services and ensure the safety of visitors.

According to a legend, the origin of Gosainkunda dates back to ancient times when Lord Shiva, after consuming the deadly poison (Kalkut) during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), struck a mountain wall with his trident to relieve his pain. From the spot emerged a stream of holy water, known as Trishuldhara, which is believed to have formed Gosainkunda.

Listed as a Ramsar site since 2007, Gosainkunda hosts two major fairs annually; during Ganga Dashahara and Janai Purnima. 

Thousands of pilgrims from districts such as Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Makwanpur, Kailali, Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Nawalparasi, Arghakhanchi, Kaski, Chitwan, and Mahottari, among others, attend the event each year.

Devotees believe that bathing in Gosainkunda and worshipping Lord Shiva forgives one of sins, helps ancestors attain salvation, and fulfils personal wishes. As a result, the pilgrimage site sees large numbers of visitors twice a year. There are four main trekking routes to Gosainkunda: Dhunche-Gosainkunda, Thadepati-Gosainkunda, Yarsa-Gosainkunda, and Sagarkunda-Gosainkunda. Among these, the Kathmandu-Dhunche-Gosainkunda trail remains the most popular.