Mahottari, October 15
The annual tantric fair has begun at Sonasati Devi Temple in Bhoil, Aurahi Municipality-7, Mahottari, a prominent Shakti Peeth in Madhesh Province. The fair is held during Sharadiya Navaratri and is popularly known as the ‘Bhoot Mela’.
“Worship and rituals for the Dashain festival begin on the first day of Navaratri, but devotees who believe they are troubled by evil spirits come to seek the goddess’s help from Panchami onwards,” said Kedar Jha, the temple priest.
“We believe the goddess immediately relieves the suffering of those who seek her help during Navaratri,” he said.
An old tradition at the fair involves devotees crying out and calling upon the goddess within the temple premises, seeking relief from their suffering.
The fair, held from Panchami to Navami, attracts large numbers of devotees not only from Madhesh Province but also from Makwanpur, Sindhuli and Udayapur districts in Bagmati and Koshi provinces. Devotees also arrive from neighbouring India’s Bihar state, including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur, Champaran, Sheohar and Muzaffarpur districts.
The fair centres on devotees seeking the goddess’s intervention to overcome their suffering. There is a belief that once the goddess Sonasati relieves their distress, evil spirits cannot trouble them again throughout their lives.
However, younger generations argue that beliefs linking ghosts, demons, witchcraft, and illnesses to supposed evil spirits are misconceptions.
Highlighting the importance of Goddess Durga during Navaratri and fostering reverence for the feminine principle are regarded as positive cultural practices.
—RSS
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