KATHMANDU: The month-long fair known as Madhavnarayan Mela has begun at Shanku of Shankharapur municipality in Kathmandu district from today.

The Mela is traditionally observed from the full moon day of the Nepali month, Poush to the full moon of the month of Magh as per the vedic calendar as a part of the Shree Swasthani Brata Katha.

A total of 176 devotees-162 women and 14 men- are on fast in the Mela this year, informed Bikashman Singh, Chairperson of the Mela Management Committee. The religious fast is dedicated to Lord Bishnu who is worshipped as Madhav Narayan during this period and Goddess Shree Swasthani.

The Mela takes place alongside the bank of river Shalinadi at Shanku that lies at the north east of Kathmandu.

On the first day of the month-long Mela, thousands of devotees visited the Shalinadi, the sacred river and also a tributary of Bagmati river and offered prayers at the Temple here dedicated to goddess Shree Swasthani.

Also, a flower shower was conducted from Nagarkot Hills onto the Shalinadi and Shree Swosthani Temple with the support from donors and devotees, informed Singh.

Worship of goddess Shree Swasthani and Lord Madhav Narayan and taking a holy dip in the Shalinadi are the major draws of the Mela, he said.

Saturdays typically see the Mela attracting the highest number of devotees and visitors, he added.

The Mela will run through February 1.