Himalayan News Service

Lekhnath (Kaski), February 9

Shreemad Bhagwat (Nawah) Mahapuran and Dhandhanyanchal Mahayagya-2060 have been started in Pachbhaiya from Saturday to promote rural tourism.

The Pachbhaiya hill separates Begnas and Rupa lakes. Swami Atmananda Giri Maharaj lit the holy fire of yagya at the Deurali temple premises. Swami Giri hoped religious activities would help retain world peace.

Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, said on the occasion that Lekhnath municipality holds a great deal of importance for the tourism sector. He also expressed that this Mahayagya would certainly help in solving the current crisis in the country.

Major Deepak Gurung, member of the National Assembly, said that there must be unity between political parties for peace to prevail in the country. He stressed that the first step towards ensuring peace in the country is to reinstate the house of representative.

A programme was also organised to inaugurate the Mahayagya, which was chaired by Shree

Kant Adhikary, chairman of the Mahayagya Organising Committee.

The programme also saw as guests mayor of Lekhnath municipality Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel, Lila Bhakta Acharya, chairman of national committee of Federation of World Hindu Committee, Bhoj Raj Subedi, vice-chairman of managing committee.

The Mahayagya would be organised for nine days and a religious speech from Swami Giri would also be delivered. The Mahayagya started off with peace mantra recitals from small priests and Swami Giri and speaker Ranabhat flew two pairs of pigeons representing peace.

Vice-general secretary of the organising committee, Ram Mani Adhikary, said that the Mahayagya would surely help in the promotion of rural tourism and to collect funds for the development of Deurali temple. Many pilgrims from the village have gathered for the Mahayagya ceremony.

According to ancient beliefs, Pachbhaiya, situated at VDC 11 of the municipality, is famous as a place where the Pandav brothers sought refuge.

The top of the Pachbhaiya hill unveils the views of Rupa and Begnas lakes as well as beautiful views of surrounding hills. This Mahayagya has been taken as the stepping-stone for the Lekhnath festival, to be organised next year.