BHAKTAPUR, July 17: A month-long religious festival has kicked off at the Hindu temples-- Doleshwor and the Ashapuri Mahadev--based in Sipadole of Suryabinayak Municipality-8.

The locals of Bhaktapur have discovered Machheshwar Mahadev at Suryabinayak Municipality-5. Though earlier known as Pichashewar, Masaneshwar and Isamsaneshwar among the locals, a recent study has proved it to be Machheshwar Mahadev.

An interesting thing about the temple is that the jaladhar of the Shivalinga faces east whereas almost all jaladhars in other Shivalaingas are faced south. The water offered to the Shivalinga falls on the idol of Lord Ram situated on east side of the Shivalinga.

KHOTANG, Feb 25: A large number of pilgrims visited Halesi Mahadev Temple in Khotang district on the occasion of the Mahashivaratri festival on Friday.