The construction of the chariot for the upcoming Seto Machhindranath Chariot Procession is in full swing at Teendhara Pathshala near Durbar Marg in Kathmandu. This annual festival, dedicated to the deity of rain and harvest, is set to begin on Chaite Dashain this Saturday, April 5.
This year, the chariot will roll on newly crafted wheels—the first replacement in nearly 15 years. Though manufactured last year, these wheels are being used for the first time in this procession.
The sacred idol of Seto Machhindranath, enshrined at the temple in Jana Baha, Kel Tol, will be carried in a traditional procession through Indra Chowk, Bangemudha, and Ason Kamalakshi before being ceremoniously placed in the chariot at Teendhara Pathshala in Jamal.
The chariot-pulling ceremony then commences.
On the first day, the chariot will be pulled from Jamal to Ason, followed by a procession from Ason to Hanuman Dhoka on the second day, and finally reaching Lagan on the third day.
In Lagan, as part of the ritual, the chariot will circle the temple of Machhindranath’s mother three times. Afterward, the idol will be removed from the chariot and reverently placed back in the Jana Baha temple, marking the conclusion of the festival.
This year, Global IME Bank will set up a stall throughout the festival to distribute drinking water to devotees, ensuring their comfort during the celebrations.
