Diwali and Chhath preparations crowd Janakpurdham markets

Shoppers and traders in Janakpurdham, the capital of Nepal's Madhesh Province, have filled the city's markets to prepare for the Diwali and Chhath festivals.

The heavy influx of people has transformed main squares and rural market areas into festive hubs. Residents are buying flowers, clay diyas, and sweets for Lakshmi Puja, while traders are busy selling these goods and setting up temporary stalls.

The high demand for marigold flowers and ritual items has drawn large crowds to the areas surrounding the Janaki Temple. The surge in activity has complicated movement for both pedestrians and vehicles. Traffic police are struggling to manage the flow of traffic as traders place four-wheeled carts and temporary shops along Hospital Road. This congestion has made it difficult for people to commute through the city center. Local residents have criticized the municipal government for a lack of organized management.

Ramkishore Singh, a resident of Janakpurdham-4, stated that the administration knows the market becomes crowded every year but fails to control unorganized trade on the streets. Despite these logistical issues, many residents who worked away from home have returned to their districts to celebrate the holidays with their families.