Kathmandu - The area around Maitidevi Temple in the capital has turned into one of the liveliest attractions of this year's Bada Dashain, with crowds of people gathering at the temple every evening to offer worship and enjoy the decorative lights installed in and around the temple premises. The festive illumination stretches along the road from Gyaneshwor downhill through the Maitidevi Temple area to the old police beat, bathing an entire neighbourhood in colour and light at a time when families across the country are marking the festival.
According to reports published by RatoPati and Khabarhub, the attractive decorations have made the temple surroundings noticeably more festive, with visitors arriving after dusk to view the glittering display, take photographs and spend time with family and relatives. The blend of devotion and celebration has made Maitidevi a natural gathering point for Dashain revellers in the heart of Kathmandu.
A Continuous Stretch of Lights from Gyaneshwor to the Old Police Beat
What sets the Maitidevi display apart is its reach. Rather than limiting the festive lighting to the temple courtyard, the decorations have been extended along the roadway that slopes down from Gyaneshwor, passes through the Maitidevi Temple area and continues toward the old police beat. The result is a continuous ribbon of light that greets everyone walking or driving through the neighbourhood, making the road itself part of the festival experience.
For anyone approaching from Gyaneshwor, the lights guide the way down toward the temple, while those arriving from the direction of the old police beat encounter the same festive glow. The decorative arrangements along the roadside give the surroundings a distinctly celebratory appearance, and the reports note that the attractive decorations have made the atmosphere around the temple noticeably more festive during the occasion.
Evenings Made for Strolls, Cameras and Family Time
The crowds build steadily as daylight fades. Visitors plan their trips for the evening hours, when the decorative lights are at their brightest, and the roads around the temple fill with people strolling along the illuminated stretch. Photographing the display has become one of the main activities, with many visitors pausing to capture the glowing temple and its festive surroundings.
Just as important is the social side of the gathering. Reports note that many of those coming to see the lights are spending time with family and relatives, using the festive backdrop as a place to meet and enjoy the holiday together. During Dashain, when family reunions are a central part of the celebration, the illuminated temple area offers a convenient and attractive venue for such gatherings.
At a glance: what is drawing the crowds
- Decorative lights installed in and around the Maitidevi Temple area for Bada Dashain
- Illumination stretching along the road from Gyaneshwor downhill through the temple to the old police beat
- Evening visits timed to see the display at its brightest
- Photography as one of the most popular activities among visitors
- Worship at the temple on the occasion of Bada Dashain
- Time spent with family and relatives amid the festive surroundings
Devotion and Festivity Side by Side
Bada Dashain is the biggest festival in Nepal, observed with worship, family gatherings and days of celebration. Temple visits are a core part of the occasion, and the crowds at Maitidevi reflect that tradition. Alongside the revellers, devotees have been arriving at the temple to offer worship, adding a religious purpose to the evening gatherings.
The display at Maitidevi shows how the religious and celebratory sides of Dashain complement each other. Worshippers can complete their temple visit and then linger to enjoy the decorations, while those drawn primarily by the lights find themselves right beside the temple itself. The result is a continuous flow of people moving between devotion and festivity within the same small area.
A Bright Backdrop for the Festival Season
For Kathmandu, the Maitidevi lights have added a memorable landmark to this year's festival season. The glowing stretch from Gyaneshwor to the old police beat gives residents and visitors an accessible place to experience the Dashain atmosphere close to home, and the steady evening crowds indicate that the display has struck a chord with the public.
With the festival under way, the temple area is expected to remain busy in the evenings as families continue to make their way to Maitidevi to see the lights, take photographs and enjoy time together. For now, the glittering roads around the temple stand as a vivid sign of the festive spirit that Bada Dashain brings to the capital.
