Panauti is a small historically and archeologically remarkable open museum newar city located in Kavrepalanchok district i.e. 32 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu. It is a very important religious Centre, known merely everywhere in Nepal’s Hindu for its location at the confluence of two sacred drivers and or it all Nepal pilgrimage (Makar Mela) organized once every twelve years. Panauti is also a very rich testimony to medieval Nepali architecture like Indreshwar Mahadev temple, Unmatta Bhairab temple, Tulanarayan temple, Sattals, stupas, stone sculptures, and so on.
Sachi tirtha/Triveni Dam of Panauti, Makar Mela2078 |
Panauti lies at the confluence of two rivers; The Punyamati to the north and the Roshi Khola to the south. The Punyamati originates from Nala Dada, the southern part of Nagarkot, and the Roshi from Phulchoki mountains to the south. The religious names of these two rivers are Padmavati and Lilavati respectively. they have been regarded as an important religious site since ancient times. It is believed that there is a third river, Rudrawati also converging in Panauti creating Triveni (Tri-junction) in the shape of Lord Shiva’s Trident, making the location even more holy and scared. However, this third river can only be seen by the sheers and intellectuals. The river's junction is also regarded as Uttar Prayag, Triveni Dham, Sachi Tirtha of Nepal.
The twelve years’ pilgrimage to Panauti Tirtha/ Tribeni Mela.
It is celebrated once every 12 years in Panauti, on the solar month of Magha (January-February). This year it's happened in Magha 2078 B.S (January-February 2022 AD). At that time Nepal government announced the COVID-19 protocol and followed it because the third wave of covid-19 (Omicron variant) was increasing in Nepal. The Makar Mela is going on a month-long festival in Panauti so the whole month of Magha is supposed to be sacred. I reached that particular event on 9 Feb 2022 and worshipped & observed the Mela. The next celebration will hopefully be observed in Magha 2090 B.S (2034 AD).