PADT bans shops in Kailash Area for Bala Chaturdashi festival

KATHMANDU: This year, the Pashupati Area Development Trust has decided not to allow shops in the Kailash area during the Bala Chaturdashi festival.

In previous years, shops were permitted in the Kailash and surrounding areas, but the practice caused inconvenience to devotees who visited to light lamps in memory of their departed ancestors on the day of the Margashirsha Krishna Trayodashi and spread sacred seeds on the morning of Chaturdashi. As a result, the Trust has prohibited shops this year.

Dr. Milan Kumar Thapa, the Member Secretary of the Trust, mentioned that shops will only be allowed in the area from Bhuwaneswari to Banakali.

A decision to take legal action against individuals setting up shops outside the designated areas has been made by the management meeting, chaired by the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Janarayan Acharya.

For Bala Chaturdashi, the Nepali Army has provided five large tents. The Trust has also prohibited the sale of meat, alcohol, and similar substances in the Pashupati area during the festival.

To allow devotees to light lamps in memory of their ancestors, entry to the Kailash Hill will be permitted from 2 PM on Friday.

Those who register to light the lamps will be charged a fee of Rs 2,100. The Trust has also urged devotees not to bring their children with them.

Preparations for the Bala Chaturdashi festival at Pashupati are complete, according to Dr. Thapa. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City will provide free public toilets for the festival, and Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Limited (KUKL) has been requested to arrange water for devotees attending the festival for bathing.

The Trust has also finalized arrangements for security, transportation, cleanliness, communication, health services, lighting, and the management of shops and volunteers during the festival.