This temple, which has been worshipped for centuries, is known as one of the nine Shaktipeeths of the Far West. The 'Dehijant' fair held here on the full moon day of the Kartik full moon is considered the biggest fair in the state from a religious and cultural point of view.
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The Ugratara Bhagwati Temple, located in Amargadhi Municipality-8, Dadeldhura, is one of the most prestigious religious sites in the Far West.
Every year, the 'Ratedi-Mela' is held on the night of the Chaturdashi of the Kartik Shukla and the 'Diunsedi-Mela' on the next day's Purnima in this temple. This year, the Ratei-Mela is being held on the night of Kartik 18 and the Diunsedi-Mela on the 19. Locally known as Dehijant, this fair is the most famous fair in the Far West Province.
Located about five kilometers from the district headquarters on the Mahakali Highway connecting Dadeldhura-Baitadi, this temple is considered a symbol of faith, belief and tradition. This temple, which has been worshipped for centuries, is known as one of the nine Bhagawatis of the Far West. The 'Dehijat' fair held here on the full moon of Kartik Shukla is considered the biggest fair in the province from a religious and cultural point of view.
According to legend, centuries ago, the Sanki caste lived in the local Latauli village near the place where Ugratara Bhagawati is located. The Sanki caste of Latauli used to farm around the current Ugratara Bhagwati temple. One day, while a farmer from the same Sanki caste was plowing, the plowshare hit a rock and blood flowed continuously from the rock. Despite the bleeding, the Sanki tried many times to stop the bleeding.
When the river of blood started flowing, the farmer applied the khichdi he had taken for food to the bleeding rock, and the blood stopped flowing. There is a legend that after that, the rock was protected and a temple was built.
Narrating the history of the origin of Ugratara Devi, 65-year-old Harka Bahadur Sanki of Latauli village said that worship here has been going on since the time of King Nagi Malla. He says that the Sanki caste has been worshiping here for 11 generations. He said that although his ancestors were originally from the ‘Bhandari’ clan, King Nagi Malla later gave them the Sanki clan. He says, ‘The king named it Sanki after hearing the sound of conch shells and bells here.’
The Ugratara Mela begins on the night of ‘Ratedi’ on the Chaturdashi of the full moon of the Kartik month and continues until ‘Diunsedi’ on the second day of the full moon. The tradition of ‘Deuro’ coming with a doli from Khanmada, Chhachoda, Dumda and Jiloda villages has been alive for centuries. The worship begins at four in the morning when the doli of the goddess arrives at the temple along with the damaha, conch shells, bells, ruising, vikul and bhokhar. In the afternoon, the ‘Ganj’ of Ugratara Devi is taken around the temple.
The Ugratara Bhagwati Mela, considered as the famous indigenous festival of the Far West Province, attracts lakhs of devotees from the Far West, Karnali and neighboring India every year. Devotees and traders also come from the Kumaon-Garhwal region of India. For the locals, this fair is more of a social and economic opportunity than a religious one.
Padam Bahadur Damai, a local of Daklay, says, ‘Mother Ugratara is the center of our faith.’ When we come to the fair, we meet relatives from far away, and brotherhood increases between the villages.’
Local products such as bhamiro, sesame, almonds, turmeric, ginger, honey, chook, oranges, seasonal dishes, and bananas are sold at the fair. Traders from India bring sweets and dishes and sell them.
According to the temple's chief priest, Tej Bahadur Sanki, those who have experienced unrest at home, failure in life, or those who wish to have children come here to make vows. According to him, before visiting Ugratara Devi, devotees should abstain from eating garlic, onion, and fish for at least one day.
