Pokhara, 6 June — The ongoing Shri Gandaki Shatakundiya Gayatri Kotihom Virat Gyan Mahayagya in Pokhara has been extended until Jestha 31, with organizers reporting a remarkable collection of nearly Rs 60 million as of June 4. According to the event’s principal initiator, Balyogeshwar Shri Vijay Krishnamurtiji Maharaj, a total of Rs 56,907,555 has been accumulated through various donation channels.
The contributions include Rs 45,313,068 in cash through receipts, Rs 3,107,273 via QR code payments, Rs 1,441,710 from cheques, Rs 1,974,194 in offerings through Jaau Charu, Rs 1,484,568 in goods and materials, Rs 22,472 as secret donations, and Rs 3,544,290 through donation boxes. Out of 11,000 kalash planned for the event, 4,409 have already been booked by devotees.
Balyogeshwar Maharaj has vowed to publicly disclose the complete income and expenditure statement in a press conference upon conclusion of the Kotihom, emphasizing transparency. He stated that such public disclosure by a religious leader is unprecedented. He also shared that the current donations are still insufficient to cover the costs of the event’s massive pandal and called for continued support and goodwill.
In a significant development, donations of land are also on the rise. A contribution of approximately 3 ropani from Syangja is expected soon, while devotees from Pokhara and religious organizations have also expressed intent to donate land for establishing an ashram. Earlier, 15 ropani of land was received from Annapurna Rural Municipality.
As the number of participants grows, Balyogeshwar Maharaj announced the extension of the Kotihom until Jestha 31, with full support from the Pokhara Metropolitan City including the mayor, deputy mayor, spokesperson, and ward chairpersons. The religious discourse by Bhagwat Manjari Radhika Dasi will also continue through the extended period.
Looking ahead, Balyogeshwar Maharaj revealed plans to organize similar Kotihoms across all seven provinces. The schedule includes historic events in Koshi Province in Mangsir 2082, Mithila in Fagun 2082, Lumbini in Baisakh 2083, Sudurpaschim in Mangsir 2083, Karnali in Fagun 2083, and a grand Atirudra Mahayagya in Pokhara in Baisakh 2084. Kathmandu will host a monumental 1,008-kundiya Kotihom in Saun-Bhadra 2084, followed by another in Chitwan in Magh 2084. Additionally, 108 Bhagwat Mahapurans, havans, Rudrabhishek yagnas, and related spiritual programs will be conducted in sacred sites across Nepal.
Public participation in the Human Service Foundation’s lifetime membership program is also growing, with donation options available for sponsoring orphans, inscribing donor names on plaques, and lifetime membership. On World Environment Day, a special sanitation campaign was carried out at the event site. Celebrated folk singer Khuman Adhikari also performed during today’s event. Organizers noted that 30 poets from Kathmandu and several artists are expected to join the celebrations tomorrow.
The Kotihom is being held at Pokhara-17 on the premises of the Sadashivji Siddheshwar Harihar Temple and surrounding community-donated land.
