Water released from Dhap Dam to increase flow in Bagmati for Shivaratri

KATHMANDU: Water from the Dhap Dam has been released to increase the flow of the Bagmati River for the Maha Shivaratri festival.

The Bagmati Improvement Project under the High-Powered Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee stated that water was released to enhance the river’s appearance as a large number of devotees are expected to gather at the Pashupatinath Temple premises during the festival being celebrated on Sunday.

According to the project, water release from the dam began gradually from Friday afternoon to ensure increased flow in the river.

Uddhav Nepal, the information officer of the project, said they started releasing water from Friday afternoon. “Since it takes about 14 hours for the water released from Dhap Dam to reach the Pashupatinath Temple area, we started releasing water from the dam on Friday afternoon,” he said. “We have been releasing water into the Bagmati on other special occasions as well.”

Thousands of devotees from within the country and abroad visit Pashupatinath for worship and ritual bathing in the Bagmati during Shivaratri.

According to the project, 400 liters of water per second are being released into the Bagmati. “This flow will raise water to knee level, making it easier for devotees observing the festival to bathe. It is also expected to enhance the river’s beauty,” Nepal said.

(Translated from RSS)