Devotees throng Bagdwar to mark New Year

KATHMANDU: Devotees have been flocking to Bagdwar, the source of the Bagmati River, since the morning today for taking a holy bath on the New Year day.

A religious fair takes place at Bagdwar every year on Baisakh 1, the first day as per the Bikram Sambat calendar.

Bagdwar is a pilgrimage site located within the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park on the border between Gokarneshwar and Budhanilkantha municipalities.

It is believed that taking a holy bath at Bagdwar on this day cleanses one's sins and bestows bliss.

As per the Nepal Mahatmya, an ancient scripture, once Brahma, the god of creation, had been observing a penance in the middle of the Mrigendra Shikhar hilltop in the beginning of creation, and there was an acute shortage of water.

Brahma then started observing the penance in the name of Lord Shiva.

It is stated that Shiva listened to Brahmaji's supplication and the Bagmati originated at the place.

Since the river is believed to have come into being with Log Shiva's 'baag', meaning words or pronouncement, it has been named the Bagmati.