KATHMANDU, April 23 -- Hindu and Buddhist devotees thronged the Balaju Park in the capital on Tuesday to participate in the traditional ritual shower at Baisdhara (22 taps).

The festival, also known as "Balaju Baisdhara Mela", is celebrated on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Chaitra.

An annual fair is organized on Chaitra Shukla Purnima, the final full moon of the year according to the Nepali calendar. Devotees gather on the premises of Balaju Park to take a holy bath, believed to have healing properties for skin-related and other ailments.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Republica....