Bardibas, Feb. 25: One of the greatest religious processions in the country, the Mithila Madhyamiki Parikrama, reached Jaleshwor, Mahottari on Friday.
Thousands of Nepali and Indian pilgrims were singing devotional songs. They were welcomed by local youths, elected representatives and government officials with a musical band and garlands. According to Lav Raja Singh, president of the Jaleshwor Chamber of Commerce and Industry, local organizations have taken the initiative to manage food, accommodation and healthcare for the Parikrama participants.
A day earlier, they were welcomed in Matihani by Dr. Rabindra Das Vaishnav, who is the main disciple of Maan Mahantha. As is custom, Dr. Vaishnav welcomed them with 25 quintals of rice, beaten rice, pulses, milk, ghee, yogurt, vegetables, oil and spices. The residents of Matihani and Madhwapur also made various donations as per their capacity.
Every year, it begins on the first day of the bright half of the Nepali month of Falgun from the Mithila Bihari Temple in Kachuri, Dhanusha and lasts for 15 days. The procession ends when the pilgrims reach Janakpurdham on the day of Phagu Purnima after passing through 13 special sites in Nepal and 2 in India.
They cover a total 133 kilometres on foot. Walking the Madhyamiki Parikrama is believed to bring peace and prosperity in life and grace of the gods in the afterlife. That is why even people older than 80 participate in it.
They feel that they must not trouble the people living and working along their route. That is why they carry their bedding with them and cook the one meal they eat themselves.
