91 flower palanquins offered in a single day at Tanahun's Thanimai temple

As many as 91 flower palanquins were offered in a single day on Tuesday at the Thanimai temple in Basantapur, Bhanu Municipality-7, Tanahun.

According to Jeevan Thapa, chairman of the temple management committee, 44 palanquins came from Tanahun, 32 from Lamjung, 13 from Gorkha and two from Kathmandu.

Chairman Thapa said around 9,500 devotees visited and worshipped at the temple on Tuesday. On Monday night, 421 devotees kept an overnight vigil, lighting lamps.

Thapa said there is a religious belief that offering a palanquin fulfils one's wishes. According to tradition, the palanquin is prepared on Monday after performing Satyanarayan Puja at home and then carried to the temple on Tuesday.

Devotees circle the temple three times, dancing to the beat of traditional "panchai baja" music. Devotional singing and worship had been under way at the temple premises since early morning.

It is customary to offer palanquins here on Tuesdays in the months of Baishakh, Asoj, Kartik, Mangsir, Magh, Falgun and Chaitra, drawing devotees from various districts on those days.