Devotees throng Pathivara and Janakpur shakti peeths on first day of Navaratri

Crowds of devotees thronged the Pathivara Shakti Peeth in Taplejung and the Janakpurdham Shakti Peeth in Dhanusha on the first day of Navaratri today.

According to Rajendra Mahat, a staff member of the Pathivara Area Development Committee, devotees have been arriving at the temple premises since early morning, and the number of pilgrims at hotels at the base of the trail has also increased.

Local businessperson Indranarayan Bhattarai said almost all hotels are full, as visitors coming to view the goddess are joined by those who have come to see the Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Phaktanglung mountains.

Chief District Officer Umesh Kumar Dahal said necessary arrangements have been made in coordination with the committee to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.

At Janakpurdham, Ghatasthapana has been performed according to tantric tradition at the historic Rajdevi Temple, Baudhi Mai Temple, and the Durga temples at Vidyapati Chowk and Ramanand Chowk.

According to priests, worship began with Vedic mantras after installing kalash for Ganesh, Bhairav and Durga at the auspicious morning time. The temples have been specially decorated for the festival.

The Rajdevi Temple, regarded as the family deity of King Janak, has a tradition of special worship from Ghatasthapana until Mahanawami. Devotees come to Janakpur from far and wide to witness this worship ritual.

According to the temple worship management committee, the area from the main entrance to the sanctum has been decorated with plastic flower garlands, string lights and toran (festive garlands). Materials rented from India have also been used in the decorations.

The committee has said it aims to celebrate the festival this year in a more organised and attractive manner than in the past.