President Ram Chandra Paudel today inaugurated the ‘Muktinath Mahaghanta’ 5,555 kg bell at the Sarbasiddhadham religious shrine in Panchakot, Baglung. The bell, a key part of the area’s transformation into a religious tourism destination, was created for Rs 20 million.
The project was spearheaded by Swami Kamalanayanacharya, founder of the Muktinath Peeth, who envisioned developing the Panchakotdham. The ‘mahaghanta’, as the bell is called, is composed of gold, silver, copper, brass, and iron, and takes eight years to complete.
According to Swami Kamalanayanacharya, the bell’s resonating ring can be heard in large portions of the Balgung, Parbat, Myagdi, and Mustang districts. The consecration ceremony, held two weeks after the bell’s arrival, was also attended by President Paudel, who participated in a mahayagya begun on Wednesday and observed the site’s 108-foot tall kalas (urn).
The Panchakot religious site’s groundbreaking ceremony was attended by then-Prime Minister Sushil Koirala eight years ago.
