Taplejung, March 25 :

Thousands of devotees are expected to throng the week-long Pathivara Festival after the snow is cleared from the paths. Pathivara lies at an altitude of 12,447 feet above sea level.

To facilitate the devotees, locals of Taplejung toiled for the last four days to clear the snow from the paths leading to Pathivara. However, devotees are facing difficulties as snow has covered the paths again.

The organisers have been providing medicines and bedding to the devotees free of cost. Five health workers have been mobilised and the district Red Cross has provided medicines worth Rs 30,000 free of cost.

The organisers said they are providing free tea and food at low rates. Over a hundred volunteers have been mobilised for the festival. The organisers said devotees have donated 80 blankets so far in the festival.

Some 50, 000 devotees are expected to observe the festival and there will be some Rs 9 lakhs of expense in the festival.