The number of visitors to Pathibhara, a Hindu pilgrimage site in Taplejung district, has been considerably high even during the cold month of Poush (mid-December to mid-January).

“Until a few years ago, hardly any devotees and tourists visited the temple in December and January due to the cold weather. But in recent years, the number of visitors has been surging even in the peak of winter,” said Dilli Acharya, the priest of Pathibhara Temple.

According to the Pathibhara Area Development Committee, 6,427 people visited the temple over the past one month, and the temple collected Rs2.9 million in cash in offerings.

The famed Pathibhara temple lies at an altitude of 3,794 metres and temperatures are below the freezing point during winter.