Kanchanpur, February 25
Regular electricity service has been provided for the first time to the religious and tourist site of Mudka (Manika Dham) located in Ward No. 8 of Shuklaphanta Municipality, Kanchanpur. Previously, devotees were compelled to perform worship and prayers in darkness.
The Mahendranagar Distribution Centre of the Nepal Electricity Authority has started electricity supply after installing 82 poles and a transformer along a nearly five-kilometre stretch from Mudka to Dharapani, at a cost of around Rs 6.5 million. All works, including pole installation, stringing of wires, fitting of insulators, and transformer installation, were completed through a contract process.
Following the expansion of electricity services, bulbs have been installed in the temple premises, the newly constructed bhajan hall, and the surrounding areas, illuminating the entire site. Locals say it has now become easier to conduct evening prayers, aarti, and religious programmes, which were previously difficult due to darkness.
Ward No. 9 Chairperson Ramesh Bahadur Aire said the electricity extension has greatly facilitated religious activities.
“Devotees had to suffer due to the darkness earlier. Now the temple premises are well lit,” he said.
According to the former chairperson of the Dham area, Bharat Bahadur Aire, the availability of electricity will allow religious programmes, satsangs, and bhajan-kirtans to be conducted in an organised manner even at night.
Manika Dham, considered important from religious and tourism perspectives, hosts a traditional fair (jatra) every year on the night of Navami and the day of Dashami of the bright fortnight of Falgun. This year, the fair is being held on Falgun 13 and 14. Thousands of devotees from Nepal and India visit the site every year, believing that paying homage to Baijnath Baba fulfils wishes.
With the area now brightly illuminated, Manika Dham is expected to become more attractive, contributing to tourism promotion. The expansion of electricity services will also ensure that devotees attending this year’s fair at night do not face difficulties due to darkness, while adding new energy to religious activities, night-time worship, fairs, and local businesses.
—RSS
