Banke. Shree 1008 Hadiyababa Ashram located at Nepalgunj Sub-metropolis-6, Phultekra is becoming a centre of religious faith.

Hundreds of Sadhus from various districts of Nepal as well as India take part in the fair that is organised every year on the occasion of the death anniversary of Hadiya Baba. Ignoring the cold weather, the Sadhus have spent their days and nights in the open garden of the Hadiyababa temple premises.

More than 700 sadhus and saints from different parts of Nepal and India attended the six-day Hadiyababa religious fair that kicked off on November 7 on the occasion of the 60th death anniversary of Hadiyababa, said Nandalal Vaishya, chairman of the Hadiyababa Temple Management Committee.

“Even at night, the Sadhus enjoy singing bhajans by warming themselves by the fire in the temple premises,” said President Baishya. ’

Rakesh Srivastava, member of Hadiyababa Ashram Committee, said that Sadhus and Mahatmas from Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kailali and India also come to attend the fair. According to him, various devotional programs including lectures, dramas and performances are organized at night in the fair. The sadhus and mahatmas present at the fair are provided with food and snacks at all times.

On Wednesday, the last day of the fair, arrangements were made for blankets, offerings and other offerings to the Sadhus who came from far away to bid farewell to them, said Baishya Chairman. Spread over an area of about 20 katthas, Shree 1008 Hadiyababa Ashram has various temples and cowsheds along with the Samadhi of Baba. There is a garden within the temple premises surrounded by walls. Hadiyababa Ashram is also a center of religious faith.

According to Vaishya, there is a folklore and belief that the Baba who came to Nepalgunj about 100 years ago can make the desired things with the power of his penance and fulfill the wishes of the devotees.

The temple premises include the tomb of Hadiya Baba, an ashram and a temple, as well as structures for the residence of saints and gardens. A fair is held in the same garden every year on the death anniversary of Hadiya Baba. According to President Vaishya, it is believed that the wishes of those who come to the temple and take vows will be fulfilled.

A large number of locals also attend the Ramlila religious drama every evening. Madhav Ram Barma, a local leader, said that people throng the Hadiyababa Temple every evening to pay homage and eat prasad.