Boatmen in the lake too are doing a brisk business as crowds of devotees use boats to get to the temple that is a five-minute row from the shore. “More than 10,000 devotees visit the temple today and it remains crowded throughout the day,” said joint secretary of the temple conservation committee Mahendra Palikhe.
The devotees are driven by the belief that one’s wishes get fulfilled throughout the year after visiting the temple on the first day of the year. Many offer sacrifice of roosters and goats at the temple on this day to fulfil a pledge.
“This day is of immense importance for us Nepalis. Those who treat New Year as a festival visit the temple,” said the priest at the temple, Manoj Adhikari.
Devotees also visit the temple on Kojagrat Purnima night and during Dashain among other festivals.
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