Kathmandu, October 11: Taleju Bhawani Temple is opened to the general public only on Mahanawami of Badadasain on one day of the year. Therefore, on the day of Mahanawami, the temple used to be very crowded. This year, the number of pilgrims in the Taleju Temple in the Darbar area of Hanumandhoka is less than last year.
Vinod Kumar Rajbhandari, ward president of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-24, said that the number of visitors has decreased this year. The temple is in the same ward. According to him, last year, around five lakh devotees visited in one day. Ward president Rajbhandari said, “Due to the different date this time, there are not so many pilgrims. Last year, the line of devotees was as far as Indra Chowk. Today, the butter is only up to the village.”
Taleju Bhavani is brought to the main square of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace on Phulpati day and is brought back to the main temple only in the morning on Vijayadashami. There is a tradition of performing Kalratri Puja on the night of Maha Ashtami with Tantric method to get the power to run the state. It is customary to perform the Kalratri Puja and sacrifice 54 goats and 54 roosters. Not only in Taleju Bhavani, but today Shakti peeths across the country are thronged by devotees.
Ward president Rajbhandari said, “Even at other times, regular worship is held. But today it is customary to open it especially for the general public. Today is said to be the day when Mahisasur was slaughtered, so sacrifices are also made. The temple opens from 4 am to 6 pm. He said that the opening time of the temple is extended due to the crowd of pilgrims.
