Pilgrims started arriving in Janakpur for the week-long Bibaha Panchami, Ram-Janaki marriage festival, on Saturday. 

The devotees say they have been wandering for hours in search of services and amenities such as toilets and community centres. 

“Not all pilgrims can stay in hotels and lodges. It would have been more comfortable if the sub-metropolitan city had arranged for toilets and community centres for people like us who come with great devotion but less money,” said Mahajan Mahato of Darbhanga, India. 

The organising committee says the number of pilgrims exceeded their estimation leading to mismanagement and shortages. 

“The festival is being organised for the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic, and pilgrims have arrived in greater numbers than we expected. There is already a lack of public toilets in the city, and due to the increase in pilgrims, the number of temporary toilets set up by us is not enough,” said Mahant Ramatpeshwar Das, a member of the organising committee.