Khotang. The Haleshi shrine in Khotang district has been reopened for the public after nearly eight months. The shrine belonging to Hindu God Lord Shiva was shut down for the public since March 21 this year as a result of the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Basaha cave and the main cave known as (Mahadev-Parbati Than) in the shrine has been reopened for the devotees who must comply with the health safety protocols put in place by the government to contain the flu-like infection.

The Haleshi Tuwachung Municipality issued a notice on Tuesday to notify all those concerned and the devotees that the Haleshi shrine was reopened. The shrine attracts people of Hindu, Buddhist and Kirant faith.

Mayor Iwan Rai shared that the devotees must wear mask, maintain physical distance while they are barred from taking along flowers, incense among others in the premises of the Shrine.

Also, in a single stretch, only 10 devotees can enter the Shrine. Devotees from various parts of the country and neighbouring countries such as India, Bhutan and China among others visit this shrine to offer prayers to the Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.

A huge fair is organized here occasionally on Ram Nawami, Shiva Rattri, Haribodhini Ekadashi, Budda Jayanti among others. (RSS)