RASUWA: Preparations have begun to facilitate and safely manage the annual religious fair at Gosainkunda on the occasion of Janai Purnima, with 11 sub-committees formed to oversee different aspects of the event.
The Langtang National Park has taken the lead in preparations, forming committees responsible for sanitation and environmental conservation, volunteer mobilisation, health services, publicity, transportation management, finance, coordination and internal management, security and rate determination, among others.
According to Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, information officer at Langtang National Park, the sub-committees have started working to make the journey of pilgrims visiting the famous religious site on Bhadra 12 safe, convenient and successful.
Coordination and cooperation are also being carried out among local governments and communities, security agencies and health institutions.
Dawa Sidar Tamang, chairperson of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-6, said work has begun on repairing and cleaning the religious trail, strengthening hotels and lodges, and managing food, snacks and drinking water.
Health camps will also be operated, along with arrangements for rescue and relief services. A medical team equipped with oxygen will be stationed at Gosainkunda considering the risk of altitude sickness.
According to Govinda Batyal, executive director of the Himalayan Rescue Association, health treatment and rescue, security and publicity activities will be carried out in coordination with the District Health Office, Langtang National Park, District Administration Office, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Gosainkunda Area Development Committee, media workers and civil society.
Gosainkunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Kaisang Nurpu Tamang said pilgrims who fall seriously ill due to adverse weather conditions would be rescued free of charge, using vehicles where possible and helicopters if necessary.
Located at an altitude of 4,380 metres above sea level, Gosainkunda is considered a sacred religious site. There is a religious belief that bathing, worshipping and paying homage at the lake on Janai Purnima brings spiritual merit equivalent to receiving blessings from all deities.
Thousands of devotees from different parts of Nepal and India visit Gosainkunda every year for the festival.
Pilgrim Sonam Gyalbo Ghale said Gosainkunda has emerged as a major religious destination and a preferred choice for pilgrims as it can be reached from Kathmandu by travelling to Deurali in Rasuwa on the first day and Gosainkunda on the second.
As the festival approaches, local hotels and businesses have already begun transporting food, daily essentials and other necessary supplies to meet the expected increase in pilgrims.
Hotel entrepreneur Pasang Ghyurmi Tamang said transportation of food supplies has started to ensure adequate stocks during the festival.
Ward Chairperson Tamang said work has also begun to construct around 200 temporary shelters, locally known as tharku, along the trail for pilgrims.
Sanjiv DM, chairperson of the Gosainkunda Area Development Committee, said thousands of devotees are expected to visit the site this year as well.
Gosainkunda is known as a unique combination of religious faith, natural beauty and Himalayan culture.
Meanwhile, Rasuwa Chief District Officer Narendra Pariyar has urged pilgrims travelling to Gosainkunda to do so without hesitation, saying necessary arrangements for security and rescue have been made.
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