"All the excitement is lost due to the ongoing strikes. There are very less chances of seeing crowds of devotees like previous years," said Mahakanta Thakur, a priest at the Chinnamasta Shakti Peeth. "Even our preparations in the temple are not as good as they used to be in the previous years."
According to Thakur, huge number of visitors in the temple would come from India as they celebrate Dashain too. "They call it Dushhera, and love this festival equally. They used to throng this temple in huge number," he said.
Strikes and banda in Madhes against the new constitution is going on for over two months now. After India imposed unofficial blockade on Nepal since mid September, the entire nation is facing acute fuel crisis. The impact has been even intense in Madhes due the prolonged agitations.
"On one hand, there is banda and on the other hand, there is acute shortage of fuel that has grounded transportation. Even if the band is slackened by the protestors, how will devotees visit the temple in lack transportation services? This disturbance should be put to an end at the earliest," added Thakur.
He informed that about five million visitors had reached Chinnamasta Bhagwati temple during Dashain last year. Due to the popular belief that the goddess would bless the devotees with what they desire, people offer her special puja during Dashain festival. "We are done with the management of drinking water, toilets, shelter and other amenities in the temple premises though these are not as grand as they used to be," informed Thakur. "Let's see how many visitors would come this year."
Meanwhile, in a press meet organized by Kankalini Bhagwati Temple Development Committee at Bhardaha VDC last week they requested devotees not to follow the rumors about the difficulties following Madhes protest and visit the shrines.
President of the committee, Gajendra Prasad Majhi and Secretary Lakshman Mandal jointly informed that all necessary requirements have been completed in the temple premises for visitors' proper stay and security.
The duo added, "Saptari is the focal point of the current Madhes agitation. Still we do not want the devotees to change their mind about paying homage to the temple like every year."
They assured that there would not be any hurdles within the temple premises in presence of special security provided by the management committee, volunteers, locals and other security officials.
According to Majhi, the situation can be made better with talks with the agitating groups. "Talks are going on with the strike enforcers. We hope they would consider easing the situation from Fulpati till the day of Tika."
One of the major attractions of the pilgrimages is the ceremony of animal sacrifices made in most of the temples on the day of Mahanawami.
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