The long mela of Paunati ended yesterday, as a huge number of people were seen from the morning. Makar Mela is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the month of Magh (Mid January-Early February) in the town of Panauti of Nepal. The festival attracts Hindu pilgrims from all over Nepal and 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 Makar Rashi as per the Vedic Astrology. Pilgrims bathe in the river and worship Basuki Naag who is considered to be the caretaker of Panauti. Then the devotees proceed to worship Indreshwor Mahadev. Panauti is also known as the city of nagas (snakes) and every 12 years, devotees reach Panauti to worship the snakes. Here are the pictures of the last day of mela:
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