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Religion
Nepal Floods Threaten Attendance at Gayaji's Pitrpakh Pilgrimage Fair
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 31 Aug 2026, 05:02 PM
👁 34
Severe floods in Nepal are expected to cut down the number of Nepali devotees attending the annual Pitrpakh fair at Gayaji, with about a quarter of families likely to cancel their pilgrimage.
The devastating floods that swept across Nepal this week have raised concerns for the upcoming Pitrpakh fair at Gayaji, a major pilgrimage site in Bihar. Each year the fair draws between 40,000 and 50,000 Nepali devotees who travel to perform pinddaan, a ritual honoring ancestors.
Local authorities and fair organizers warned that the flood‑hit regions in Nepal may hinder travel, with preliminary estimates suggesting that roughly one in four families could postpone or cancel their journey. The potential shortfall could affect the scale of the fair, which relies heavily on cross‑border participation.
Despite the uncertainty, the Gayaji temple management confirmed that the fair will proceed as scheduled, while urging pilgrims to monitor weather updates and ensure safe travel arrangements. The situation underscores how natural disasters in neighboring countries can have immediate cultural and economic repercussions for Indian religious events.
The Bihar state tourism department is coordinating with Nepali officials to provide assistance to affected families and to facilitate safe passage for those who still intend to attend. The fair, traditionally held in the month of Kartik, remains a significant event for both Indian and Nepali communities.
If the projected decline materialises, local vendors and transport operators could see a noticeable dip in revenue, highlighting the broader impact of the Nepal floods beyond immediate humanitarian concerns.
Local authorities and fair organizers warned that the flood‑hit regions in Nepal may hinder travel, with preliminary estimates suggesting that roughly one in four families could postpone or cancel their journey. The potential shortfall could affect the scale of the fair, which relies heavily on cross‑border participation.
Despite the uncertainty, the Gayaji temple management confirmed that the fair will proceed as scheduled, while urging pilgrims to monitor weather updates and ensure safe travel arrangements. The situation underscores how natural disasters in neighboring countries can have immediate cultural and economic repercussions for Indian religious events.
The Bihar state tourism department is coordinating with Nepali officials to provide assistance to affected families and to facilitate safe passage for those who still intend to attend. The fair, traditionally held in the month of Kartik, remains a significant event for both Indian and Nepali communities.
If the projected decline materialises, local vendors and transport operators could see a noticeable dip in revenue, highlighting the broader impact of the Nepal floods beyond immediate humanitarian concerns.