Seto Machhendranath Jatra begins
Kathmandu, March 25
The annual procession of Seto Machhendranath’s chariot started from Tindhara Pathshala, Durbarmarg, today.
The procession started after living goddess Kumari visited the site.
President Bidhya Devi Bhadari also joined the procession at 10:00pm. As per tradition, Head of the State is required to be part of the procession.
The idol of Seto Machhendranath of Janabahal, Kathmandu, is considered as a deity of kindness and prosperity, and also called Karunamaya ( god of kindness), while equally famous Rato (Red) Machhendranath of Patan is considered the deity of rainfall and grains.
The idol of Seto Machhendranath was brought to Tindhara from Machhendra Bahal today and placed into a 32-feet-tall wooden chariot.
Thousands of devotees, especially from the Newar community, participated in the three-day chariot procession. Today, on the first day of the procession, the chariot was pulled up to Ason. The chariot will be brought to Hanumandhoka tomorrow and finally taken to Lagan Tole on the last day.
The deity will be restored at its own temple on the fifth day of jatra. The priests of Seto Machhendranath are from the Bajracharya clan, who are the followers of Mahayan Buddhism.
