Kathmandu, March 22
Preparations are underway for the chariot procession of Seto Machhindranath, the deity of rain and prosperity, which begins on the occasion of Chaite Dashain from Teendhara Pathshala in Durbar Marg.
According to the Guthi Sansthan, construction of the chariot began on the first day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada). Spokesperson Janak Pokharel said the chariot is expected to be completed by Chaitra 11 (Chaitra Shukla Saptami).
The chariot procession will commence at 4 pm on Chaitra 12 from Teendhara Pathshala. The annual festival is observed in the capital from Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Dashami.
On the first day, the chariot will be pulled to Asan, where rituals will be performed. The procession will continue for three days through the inner parts of the city, passing through Asan, Basantapur, Jaisidewal, and Lagan, before concluding at Machhindrabahal.
The Guthi Sansthan manages arrangements, including timber required for building the chariot.
According to Nilkaji Shakya, priest of Seto Machhindranath, coordinator of the committee, and former chairperson of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 25, it is a tradition to bring Kumari to the premises of Teendhara Pathshala on Chaitra 12 to mark the beginning of the procession.
President to offer prayers
President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to visit Asan at around 10 pm on Chaitra 12 to offer prayers and receive prasad.
It is a long-standing tradition for the head of state to visit Asan on the night the chariot is pulled there and pay their homage.
A 32-hand-long chariot is constructed in front of Teendhara Pathshala and pulled starting from Chaite Dashain. The chariot is considered a symbol of the serpent king (Nagraj). There is a religious belief that the festival ensures rainfall and a good harvest.
On the second day, Chaitra 13, the chariot will be taken from Asan to Kal Bhairav in Basantapur. On the third day, Chaitra 14, it will be pulled to Lagan, where it is circled three times around the temple of Machhindranath’s mother.
After the completion of the Seto Machhindranath procession in the capital, the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath begins.
—RSS
