For the first time, Shaligram Festival has been held at Ruru Kshetra Dham, the confluence of Palpa and Gulmi. A two-day Shaligram festival has been organized at Riddy Rishikeshava temple in Ruru area from today with the aim of promoting Shaligram found in Kaligandaki.
Tansen Municipality of Palpa, Ruru Kshetra Rural Municipality of Gulmi, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality of Syangja, Tourism Division Office of Rupandehi and Rishikesh Temple Management Committee jointly organized the festival has been conducted. For this, Lumbini State Government has 10 lakh support. Inaugurating the
festival, Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Chetnarayan Acharya said that since Ruru region is one of the Chardhams of Nepal, the protection, promotion and promotion of historical, religious and cultural places is a top priority of the provincial government. Referring to Lumbini province as hotbed, he expressed his belief that through such festivals, religious tourism can be promoted and become the basis of the prosperity of the province.
This festival organized on the occasion of Shaligram Day in Ruru region, which is considered as one of the four major religious places of Nepal, includes religious, cultural and tourism related programs. Parashuram Bhattarai, Chairman of the Rishikeshava Temple Management Committee informed that information on Shaligram's publicity, promotion and importance will be given at the festival.
As Shaligram is described as a stone form of Lord Vishnu in Hindu scriptures, Shaligram has become a subject of interest for everyone due to its religious significance as well as its unique shape.
In Srisvasthani Vratkatha, it is mentioned that Lord Vishnu had to remain in Shaligram form after Mahadev killed Jalandhar by destroying his wife Vrinda's matrimonial religion. Due to religious, cultural and scientific importance of Shaligram, its search is increasing every year.
There is a legend that the 16th century king Manimukunda Sen found an idol of Lord Rishikeshava while bathing in Kaligandaki and replaced it with the same idol. Devotees come to Kaligandaki to bathe and visit various temples including Rishikeshava, Gayatri Mata.
