Lalitpur, August 11:

Hundreds of people from the Valley today thronged to Patan to watch Matya — the festival of light. The festival which is celebrated a day after Gai Jatra is also known for taking out processions in many Buddhist temples and stupas in Patan.

The newar community of Patan believes that the festival is taken out to honour the victory of Buddha over vice. The major attraction of the festival are traditional musicians, people with lighted candles and people dressed in traditional attires. During the festival, devotees offer coins and ignite lights at the temples and stupas. The family members of the dead take part in the march, ignite light and pray for the departed souls.

This year’s procession started from Chakrabahi at 4:15 am headed by five Buddhist priests and concluded at the same place after visiting more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and stupas across Patan. According to Dilli Kumar Tamrakar, president organising team of Matya: “Jyababahi Chakrabahi — this year’s procession organiser has managed to collect Rs 95,000 from locals in Chakrabahi including contribution from the Lalitpur sub-Metropolitan City, Department of Archeology, Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Handicrafts Association Nepal and Dhapa Guthi.”

The scene of the procession not only amuses foreigners but locals are also thrilled to watch the changing face of the festival.