Kathmandu, Oct 11: Temples and goddess shrines across the Kathmandu Valley have been decorated with colourful lights as Dashain and Tihar draw near, attracting growing numbers of worshippers and visitors after sunset.
Lights illuminate temple courtyards, surrounding streets and public spaces, adding to the festive atmosphere. At Maitidevi and Naxal Bhagwati, visitors gather in the evenings to worship, admire the decorations, and spend time with family and relatives.
Ramesh Khadgi, member secretary of the Maitidevi Temple Area Management Committee, said evening attendance had increased during the festival season. Families visit to offer prayers and seek happiness, peace and prosperity.
The lighting and efforts to keep the premises orderly have made worship easier while enhancing the temple’s appearance, he said. Maitidevi now draws crowds of devotees in the evenings.
Naxal Bhagwati Temple has also become a popular destination following its decoration with lights of different colors. Residents said the illuminated temple and surrounding area had brought a sense of Dashain’s arrival, drawing both worshippers and people coming to see the display.
Dashain and Tihar combine religious devotion with family gatherings and social goodwill. Worship of the goddess is central to Dashain, while Tihar traditionally involves lighting homes, temples and public spaces. Decorating religious sites reflects these customs.
Maitidevi resident Madhukar Pudasaini said the decorations also highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the Valley’s temples. Beyond their religious role, these sites represent Kathmandu’s heritage and identity. Such activities help sustain traditions and introduce younger generations to their cultural inheritance, he said.
Ramesh Kumar Tharu, who traveled from Bardiya to worship at Maitidevi, urged authorities to pay attention to cleanliness, access and security as visitor numbers rise. Keeping courtyards clean, managing movement and providing security become particularly important during crowded festival periods, he said.
Naxal businessman Dharmendra Kumar Chhetri said the decorated shrines had increased evening visits and made the neighborhood feel festive.
Major goddess shrines in the Valley include Guhyeshwari, Bhadrakali, Dakshinkali, Shobha Bhagwati, Banglamukhi, Maitidevi and Naxal Bhagwati. During Dashain, devotees visit these temples to perform customary rituals, pray for their families and seek fulfillment of their wishes.
Residents believe festival decorations can also encourage religious tourism by drawing attention to historic sites. They said preserving the Valley’s heritage while presenting it during festivals could strengthen local traditions and cultural identity.
With temples and nearby streets glowing after dusk, the decorations are drawing residents, devotees and visitors into the Valley’s celebrations this festival season.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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