Mugu: A famous pilgrimage of Mugu, the Chhayanath Dharmik Yatra, commenced on Friday. Chhayanath, a significant Hindu shrine in the mountainous district of Karnali, is recognized as a historic center of the ancient Sinja civilization. The number of devotees visiting Chhayanath has increased with the arrival of Saun, a month religiously dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the journey, which traverses the Chhayanath area situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level, began on Friday following rituals of worship offered to the historic idol of Lord Shiva. Special worship was performed at the Chhayanath Temple premises in the presence of local priests, government employees, security personnel, local devotees, and people’s representatives.
A significant number of devotees typically visit the shrine between the Nag Panchami and Janai Purnima festivals, both of which occur in the month of Saun in the Lunar Calendar. Chhayanath Rara municipality mayor, Bishnu Kumar Bham, noted that a medical team has been deployed to the area to provide essential health services to the pilgrims.
Local resident Ain Bahadur Hamal highlighted that Chhayanath Dham, a site of immense religious and historical significance, is considered a major pilgrimage destination after Mount Kailash Mansarovar. He added that the idols of Thakurju (Lord Shiva), Vishnu, Ganesh, and Lord Buddha at the site were installed in 1836 B.S. by Sundar Chaulagai Upadhyay, the then-priest of Chain village.
Devotees from nearly all districts of Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces, as well as from the neighboring Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Kumaon regions of India, visit the Chhayanath Dham. It is believed that visiting the Dham bestows ancestral blessings and goods.
Devotees and pilgrims, some accompanied by shamans, also visit the Chhayanath Dham to witness the ‘incarnation’ of new shamans, perform the Bratabandha (sacred thread ceremony), and engage in other spiritual rituals.