Preparation for Saune Mela nears completion

KATHMANDU, July 27: Preparations have been intensified at the Doleshwor temple in Bhaktapur in view of the Saune Mela, to be held on Monday. On behalf of the Doleshwor Conservation and Development Committee, the preparations for the Saune Mela have been brought to the final stage.

According to Dharmaraj Basnet, chairman of the conservation committee, the preparation work for the fair has reached the final stage including early worship for the tourists and devotees coming to the fair. He said that since it is on the eve of Saune Mela, all the preparations for Monday's Mela on 17th July are almost completed and arrangements have been made for the devotees to visit Doleshwar Mahadev right away.

Stating that Doleshwor Mahadev temple is considered to be the head of Kedarnath, Hindu devotees from India and the across the world have started visiting the religious site more often. According to him, the number of people visiting Doleshwor has increased recently because it is a tourist destination. He said that along with the increase in tourists, Suryavinayak Municipality Ward No. 8 has also helped significantly in earning financial income. Basnet said that the temple has been receiving offerings, gifts, and donations amounting to over Rs 1.5 lakhs per month over the past couple of months.