Rituals & Worship
Experience the living traditions of daily puja, bhakal offerings, and vibrant festival celebrations
Daily Puja Rituals
Supa Deurali Temple is unique as the only 24-hour temple in Arghakhanchi district, maintaining continuous worship throughout the day and night. The daily puja rituals follow centuries-old traditions established by the temple priests.
Morning Rituals
The day begins before dawn with the opening of the temple sanctum. Priests perform abhishek (ritual bathing) of the deity with water, milk, honey, and other sacred substances. Fresh flowers, incense, and oil lamps are offered as the morning aarti (worship ceremony) begins.
Afternoon & Evening Worship
Throughout the day, priests maintain the sacred fire, offer bhog (food offerings) to the goddess, and conduct special pujas for individual devotees. The evening aarti at sunset is particularly attended, with devotees gathering to witness the lamp ceremony and receive prasad (blessed offerings).
Important: Restricted Days
Animal sacrifices are prohibited on certain auspicious days:
- Ekadashi (11th day of lunar fortnight)
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Krishna Janmashtami
- New Moon (Amavasya)
- Full Moon (Purnima)
On these days, only vegetarian offerings (flowers, fruits, sweets) are made.
Bhakal - The Sacred Vow
One of the most important practices at Supa Deurali is the tradition of bhakal (बाँकेका)—sacred vows made to Goddess Supadevi. Devotees make promises to offer specific items or perform certain acts if their prayers are answered.
How to Perform Bhakal
- Make Your Prayer: Stand before the deity and clearly state your wish or need
- State Your Vow: Promise what you will offer if your prayer is granted (gold, clothes, animals, etc.)
- Receive Prasad: Accept the blessed offering from the priest
- Fulfill Your Promise: When your wish is granted, return to offer what you vowed
Common Bhakal Offerings
🥇 Gold Jewelry
Chains, rings, and ornaments offered for major blessings
🚩 Flags & Banners
Colorful pata-pati (red wool strings) and prayer flags
👗 Clothing
New garments and cloth for the deity
🌸 Flower Garlands
Fresh marigolds and seasonal flowers
🐐 Animal Sacrifices
Goats or birds (except on restricted days)
🕊️ Pigeon Release
Releasing pigeons as symbols of gratitude
⚠️ Important Reminder
As the legend of the Lahure soldier teaches, vows made to Goddess Supadevi must be honored. The goddess holds devotees accountable to their promises. Breaking a vow is believed to bring misfortune, while fulfilling it brings continued blessings.
Major Festivals
Supa Deurali comes alive during major Hindu festivals, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across Nepal and northern India.
Dashain (September-October)
The biggest festival of the year. The temple is packed with devotees offering animal sacrifices and seeking blessings. Special pujas are conducted throughout the 15-day celebration, with the eighth and ninth days (Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami) seeing the largest crowds.
Tihar / Deepawali (October-November)
The festival of lights illuminates the temple with thousands of oil lamps. Devotees perform Laxmi Puja and offer sweets and flowers. The temple complex glows beautifully during the evening celebrations.
Nepali New Year (Mid-April)
Celebrated with great enthusiasm, pilgrims make special journeys to Supa Deurali to begin the new year with divine blessings. The temple organizes community feasts and cultural programs.
Saturdays & Tuesdays
These weekly holy days attract larger-than-usual crowds. Saturday is considered especially auspicious for Devi worship, while Tuesday is sacred to the goddess in Hindu tradition.