Over 16,000 devotees visit Pathibhara during Dashain

By Chandra Pandak,Taplejung, Oct. 9: Over 16,000 devotees visited the famous pilgrimage site Pathibhara in Taplejung during Dashain festival. According to the Pathibhara Area Development Committee, from Ghatasthapana to Kojagrat Purnima, a total of 16,332 devotees visited Pathibhara temple. 

As per the committee’s executive director, Prajin Hangbang, the highest number of visitors during Dashain was recorded on Saturday, the day of Dwadashi, two days after Bijaya Dashami, when 2,717 devotees visited the temple. 

The second highest number of visitors was on the fifth day after Ghatasthapana, when 2,226 devotees made their pilgrimage. 

According to the committee’s data, fewest visitors at only 217 were recorded on the day of Bijaya Dashami Tika.

On the first day of Ghatasthapana, 559 devotees visited Pathibhara, while on the last day of Dashain, Kojagrat Purnima, 328 devotees made their visit.

Although the Dashain - Tihar season is regarded as the main pilgrimage period for Pathibhara, the number of visitors this year saw a sharp decline compared to previous years.

Dashain and Tihar are considered the peak seasons for pilgrimage to Pathibhara, and devotees give special importance to the Nawaratri period. In some years, as many as 15,000 devotees have visited the temple in a single day during Nawaratri. In comparison, this year’s turnout has been significantly lower.

While the exact reason for the decline remains unknown, locals assume it could be due to ongoing disputes surrounding the construction of a cable car, identity-based movements, and other local issues.

Moreover, continuous rainfall toward the end of Dashain caused floods, landslides, and road blockages in several areas, further affecting the flow of devotees.

Despite the comparatively low turnout, devotees from different parts of Nepal as well as from Sikkim and Darjeeling in India visited Pathibhara during the Dashain.