Panauti Makar Mela

• ohonepal.com
• Tue,8 August 2023

Panauti Makar Mela is a religious festival celebrated in Nepal. It is a significant event that takes place once every 12 years at the confluence of the Roshi and Punyamati rivers in the town of Panauti. The festival is also known as the "Makar Sankranti Mela" and is associated with Hindu religious beliefs.

During the Makar Mela, thousands of devotees and pilgrims gather at Panauti to take a holy dip in the sacred rivers to cleanse themselves of sins and seek blessings. Makar Sankranti is an auspicious time as it marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar Rashi), which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu astrology.

The festival usually lasts for several days, and various religious rituals, prayers, and cultural events take place during this time. People also fly colorful kites, dance, and participate in various traditional activities to celebrate the occasion.