SARLAHI: Government employees in Sarlahi district dumped their duties today to attend the Gadhimai Mela in Bara, seriously affecting regular activities in their offices. Most of the staffers have gone there to worship the deity and offer sacrifices.

Dhruba Gautam, former member, District Development Committee, said the absence had adversely affected works in Land Revenue and Land Survey offices.

Gyanendra Shrestha, former chairman, Shankarpur VDC, said he could not meet a single official at Nepal Electricity Authority in Malangawa. Regular activities at government offices in Barhathawa, Ishworpur, Lalbandi, Nawalpur and in the district headquarters Malangawa were hit by the absence.

Gambhirman Moktan, an staffer at Hajariya Health Post, said he attended the Mela by taking a leave. He believes that one's wishes are fulfilled if sacrifices are offered to the deity on this auspicious occasion. Surendra Kumar Lal, head, District Cooperative Office, said the employees could not be barred from attending the Mela, which is held once in five years. "Those present were burdened with work since six staffers remained absent today," Lal said.