Kathmandu, April 8:

The annual chariot festival of Seto Machhindranath could not be concluded today as curfew was imposed in the city throughout the day.

As per the tradition, the chariot is pulled from Hanumandhoka and is taken to Lagan after taking it around a temple three times.

“We are sorry, we could not complete the service to god Machhindranath,” said Krishna Shakya, a local. Culture expert Dr Chunda Bajracharya said any obstruction to the procession schedule is considered a bad omen. “Seeking pardon, prayers should be recited before resuming the procession,” she added.

The procession of Seto Machhindranath was also obstructed during the 1990 People’s Movement due to demonstration for democracy and imposition of curfew by the then Panchayati government.