Sudurpaschim: With the end of big festivals like Dashain and Tihar, the time for Jatra or fairs has begun in the hilly districts of the Sudurpaschim province. Jatras are held in various temples in Baitadi, Darchula, Dadeldhura, Doti, Bajhang, and other districts on the full moon day of the month of Kartik.
According to National News Agency Nepal, local culture expert Jayananda Bhatta mentioned that Jatras are organized in various Shaktipeeths and temples from Kartik Shukla Pratipada to Poornima. There is a tradition of mass worship in temples and Shaktipeeths of various deities during this period.
With the beginning of the Shukla Paksha of the month Kartik, processions are conducted at renowned temples such as Tripura Sundari Bhagwati of Baitadi, Raula Kedar, Melauli Bhagwati, and others. Similarly, processions take place at Kafalasaini Bhagwati, Jagannath, Sigas Dhura, Sansher, Surpal, and Anirudra temples during Kartik Shukla Paksha.
Additionally, fairs are organized at Malikarjun Dham and Latinath templ
es in Darchula and at the temples of Ugratara and Bhageshwor in Dadeldhura. The Badikedar temple in Doti also hosts its fair, along with the Jagannath and Ganemeshwor temples, followed by the famous Malikarjun Dham. The fairs attract not only locals but also Indian pilgrims from the border region.
Indian journalist Pramod Bhatta noted that every year, Indian devotees visit Baitadi, Dadeldhura, and Darchula in Nepal to participate in these fairs. “We have been coming to the Tripura Sundari Bhagwati Temple for generations to have darshan. This year too, thousands have prepared for a darshan,” he stated.