Jan 6, Kathmandu:   Despite the extreme cold in Saptari, the Kosi barrage of Saptari is crowded with visitors to fill the fair. Puse Purnima is celebrated today by taking a bath in Megarin Churia in Odraha of Saptakosi Municipality, Malkaur in Vairawa and Jhankatta in Jagatpur of Kanchananrup Municipality, Hanumannagar, Kunauli Border, Itahari Bishnupur and other water bodies in the Kosi Pump Canal.

Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality-1 Koshi Barrage located in Bhardah has been thronged since morning for the Koshi bath and fair. Leela Yadav, a local who came to bathe in Koshi from places like Saptari, Sirha, Sunsari, Morang, India's Purnia, Farbisganj, Madhuvani, Laukhi, Laukaha, Khutouna, Araria, Nirmali, Kunauli, informed about the barrage. According to him, the number of people coming from early morning by buses, tractors, motorcycles, rickshaws, e-rickshaws, bicycles, and other vehicles to fill the fair and take a Koshi bath is significant.

According to the custom of worshiping the Koshi river as Kaushika Mata, it is believed that every wish will be fulfilled by taking a bath in Koshi on this day and eating food. On this day, in the fair, sweets including bhuja, chiura, puri, vegetables and jerry are eaten, while more devotees carry murhi, chiura, chola vegetables from home. Agricultural implements as well as handmade materials used for domestic purposes are bought and sold in the one-day fair.

Locals say that there is more presence of farmers at the fair. According to Pandit Puran Jha, there is a popular belief that after taking a Koshi bath on the day of Paush Shukla Purnima, you will get rid of sins and get merit like taking a bath in the Ganges. Saptakosi Municipality, Balan Bihul Rural Municipality, Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality, Kalyanpur Municipality, and Tilathi Koiladi Rural Municipality have declared a public holiday today.