President Ramchandra Paudel participated in a special workshop held at the Nawadurga Temple in Bhaktapur, where he received Tika and Prasad on the auspicious occasion of Kojagrat Poornima, marking the concluding day of the Bada Dashain festival.
Accompanied by the First Lady, Sabita Paudel, President Paudel paid his respects and offered prayers to Goddess Nawadurga. In a respectful gesture, he performed a special pooja, presenting 84 offerings to the Goddess Nawadurga. The President also had the opportunity to witness the traditional Nawadurga dance.
The temple’s priest, Ramesh Karmacharya, assisted President Paudel in the worship and prayers. Additionally, Krishna Kumar Banmala, the main priest of the Nawadurga Temple, along with assistant priests Bhaila Bahadur Banmala and Indra Bahadur Banmala, offered Prasad to the President. President Paudel also took a moment to observe the statues of Nawadurga Devgans and other deity idols within the temple premises.
It is a long-standing tradition for the Head of State to offer prayers to Goddess Nawadurga. President Paudel continued this practice by performing a special pooja at the temple this year.
During the visit, President Paudel received warm greetings from various dignitaries, including Bagmati Province Livestock Minister Dr. Rajendraman Shrestha, Bagmati Province members Kiran Thapa and Suresh Shrestha, Chief District Officer Roshani Kumari Shrestha, Assistant Chief District Officer Dolendra Niraula, and the Chief of Guthi Sansthan Office in Bhaktapur, Khima Wali.
While the tradition of offering worship to Goddess Nawadurga can be traced back to the era of the Malla kings, it had waned over time. However, approximately 35 years ago, following the devastating earthquake of 2045 BS, the then-head of State revived this time-honored tradition with the belief that it would help protect the country and its people from natural calamities, as noted by Narayan Prasad Banmala, an advisor to the temple management committee.
ALSO READ: Manakamana Cable Car Resumes Service After Dashain Festival Break
