Syangja, Nov. 17: The income and expenditure of the ‘Uttar Gandaki Mahamela Damodar Dharmotsav-2082’, held at Uttarbahini, the confluence of Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces, has been made public.

According to Chaitanya Krishna, Chairperson of the Kaligandaki Gyan Bigyan Academy, the month-long Mahamela generated an income of Rs. 23.99 million. 

He said that Rs. 15.09 million was spent during the event. A total of Rs. 8.89 million has been saved from the fair, as informed at the press conference.

At the press conference, Chairperson Chaitanya Krishna said that they were able to successfully reduce expenses.

He added that the Mahamela was organised to construct facilities such as a dharmashala with accommodation and spiritual practice space for about one thousand devotees, a Gurukul school to preserve Sanatan culture, a Yagyashala, a Gaushala to protect cows, and a dining hall for devotees’ prasad meals.

The chief orator of the Mahamela, Netra Prasad Parajuli, said that the Mahayagya was successful in introducing the spiritual significance of Uttar Gandaki worldwide. 

According to him, the Kaligandaki River, considered highly sacred and known as the only river in the world where Shaligrams are found, is regarded holier in the northern-flowing section.

With the long-term vision of promoting the religious development of the Uttarbahini area, the Mahamela featured various programmes related to Sanatan Dharma, values, and culture.

The event was organised from October 7 to November 5 in the Uttarbahini area of Galyang Municipality-1 in Syangja and Rambha Rural Municipality-1 in Palpa.

The Kaligandaki Uttarbahini area, which remained largely unrecognised until a decade ago, has recently been developing as a prominent destination for religious tourism.