Devotees observing Madhav Narayan fast reach Panauti

Setopati

2018-01-21 15:35:51

Devotees observing Madhav Narayan fast have begun their neighborhood tour from Shalinadi in Sankhu to Bajrayogini. The tour that began from Magh Krishna Trayodashi, 13th day of the waning period that fell on Paush 30 this year, reached Bajrayogini and Pashupati from Sankhu on Magh 1. On reaching Panauti from Sankhu on Saturday (Magh 6), the fasting devotees offered puja after taking a holy bath in Panauti pond on Sunday. They will observe Shree Panchami festival that falls on Monday (Magh 8). After celebrating Lagala Saptami Parva on Tuesday (Magh 9), they will eat porridge, locally known as 'kheer' (Tasmi), on Drona Nawami that falls on Friday (Magh 12). The Madhav Narayan festival has a ritual of going for tour from Sankhu with a purpose of staying at Changunarayan on Saturday, a day after Drona Nawami. They will return to Sankhu from Changunarayan on Sunday (Magh 14). The devotees on Tuesday (Magh 16) will observe Dev Nimantrana and will then observe Ashvamedh Yagya on Wednesday. They will do Miga puja on Thursday (Magh 18). The committee has said that people observing fast will have to stay awake throughout the night of Shivaratri. Devotees observing fast are obliged to walk on barefoot and chant the mantras of Madhav Narayan on the journey. As many as 197 devotees including both men and women are taking part in Madhav Narayan this year.