Preparations complete for Uttargandaki Mahamela, Damodar Religious Festival

By Radha Krishna Dumre,Waling (Syangja), Oct. 7: Preparations have been completed for the grand Uttargandaki Mahamela and Damodar Religious Festival 2025. 

The Mahamela and festival will begin on Tuesday along the banks of the Kaligandaki River, marking the border between Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.

The month-long festival will take place at Uttarbahini, the sacred confluence of Malunga in Galyang Municipality–1 of Syangja and Ramba Rural Municipality–1 of Palpa. The event aims to promote the spiritual and cultural significance of the Kaligandaki River globally while supporting the growth of religious tourism in Nepal.

Chairperson of the Kaligandaki Gyan Vigyan Pratisthan, Chaitanya Krishna, said that all necessary arrangements for the festival have been completed, including the construction of various religious structures at the venue.

He added that the Mahamela would not only promote religious harmony but also contribute significantly to Nepal’s economy by boosting the market for local agricultural products and supporting small and cottage industries.

Spiritual leaders and gurus from Nepal and India will participate in the festival, with thousands of devotees from both countries expected to attend the event. 

Organisers have also arranged special pilgrimage tours for visiting devotees to other holy sites such as Devghat, Rurukshetra, Setibeni Shila and Muktinath.

Throughout the festival, devotees will take part in various religious rituals including Abhishek Pooja of 125,000 Shaligram (sacred black stone fossil found mainly in the Kaligandaki River in Nepal) using sacred water from the Kaligandaki River and Tulsi leaves, grand Deepdan (lamp offering), decorative Ganga Aarti and spiritual discourses from revered saints and gurus.

The event will also feature a range of cultural and educational activities such as a national folk hymn competition, public speaking contests, religious and cultural quiz shows, essay writing, and poetry competitions.

The Uttargandaki Mahamela and Damodar Religious Festival will continue until November 4.