Makar Mela

मकर मेला

Hindu

Dates

Makar Mela is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the month of Magh (mid-January to early February) in Panauti town of Nepal. The festival attracts Hindu pilgrims from all over Nepal, India and some foreign tourists. Pilgrims believe that taking a dip in the holy river during the festival washes away their sins.

The festival is celebrated for the whole month of Magh at Tribenighat, the confluence of three rivers viz. Punyamati, Roshi (also called Lilawati) and Rudrawati. The festival starts when the sun enters Makara Rashi as per the Hindu astrology. Pilgrims bathe in the river and worship Basuki Naag which is considered to be the caretaker of Panauti. Then they proceed to worship Indreshwor Mahadev.