Jaleshwor gearing up to celebrate Sansari Mai festival

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By Mahesh Kumar Das,Jaleshwor, May 23: Demand for he-goat has surged and so has its price. That’s because the festival of Sansari Mai is drawing closer. People in Jaleshwor, Mahottari district, are preparing to mark the festival with great fanfare after a gap of five years. 

Locals said that the demand for he-goat has increased amid nearing Sansari Mai Mahapuja, which is scheduled for celebration from June 19 to 26.

According to local residents, the price of the sacrificial animal has also increased with the increase in its demand. More than 10,000 he-goats are estimated to be sacrificed on the last day of the Mahapuja, said Ashok Sah, president of Sansari Mai Mahapuja Main Organising Committee.   

"The Sansari Mai fair will be held after a long interval so the number of people offering sacrifices will increase,” said Sah.  

There is a tradition of offering he-goat from every house living in the Jaleshwor city, so the demand for he-goat has increased, he added. 

"It is natural for the price to increase after the increase in demand," President Sah said. He-goat is not available on par with the demand at the local level, so when the locals flocked to the Indian market, the demand and subsequently price also increased. 

"Nowadays, there is no he-goat costing less than Rs.10, 000 in the market,” said Vijay Sah, a local.  

In other committees, the price of he-goat used to be based on weight, but now locals have to buy them at a price of around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000, he said.  

The relevant concerned bodies should pay attention to the management of the market in line with the demand when such a big fair is being held, he added. 

On the other hand, preparation for the long-awaited Mahapuja is in full swing in the district headquarters Jaleshwor. 

According to the Main Organising Committee, Mahendra Mukhiya, the priest of Sansari Mai temple, fixed the date of Mahapuja for 26 June. The preparation has begun after date was fixed.  

It is said that the road leading to the fair-hosting ground has been the built, so have been the reception gates throughout the city. 

The grand stage construction is in the works. 

It is estimated that more than Rs. 10 million will be invested to celebrate the Mahapuja.  Over 10,000 goats, ducks, chickens, pigeons, pigs and he-buffaloes will be sacrificed, President Sah said. 

The expenses of Mahapuja are being collected from various places as well as from the fees charged for animal sacrifice, he said. 

“In ancient times, there was an epidemic that killed thousands of people. Unsettled by the tragic losses of human lives, people prayed Sansari Mai for help. 

Answering their prayer, the goddess promised to stop the epidemic, leading to its ending. Since then, local residents have been worshipping goddess Sansari Mai. Although, there is no definite information about when and who started Sansari Mai festival,” he said. 

Prior to this, Mahapuja was held every 12 years. It is said that Mahapuja was held every seven years since then and every five years for the last few years.

Worshipping and vowing to Sansari Mai is believed to prevent calamity and bring happiness, prosperity and peace.

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