Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 9:

The three-day-long Pahacharhe festival ended today with the symbolic exchange of torches by the carriers of two palanquins with idols of goddesses Lumari Ajima and Bhadrakali Ajima, the protectors of the Kathmandu Valley. The palanquins of the goddesses greeted each other at the Ason crossroad this afternoon. This is the last episode of Pahancharhe, considered the second biggest festival of Newars of the Kathmandu Valley.

According to historians, King Amar Malla of Kathmandu started the procession of deities in 1480 AD. To mark the occasion, people from surrounding houses threw pieces of coloured bread prepared from rice flour at the mass of palanquins from their windows. The participants grabbed them with much struggle. The bread is believed to possess healing power, specially for children. Other half-a-dozen palanquins of different deities were also taken along narrow streets in core areas of the Valley.

The Kathmanduites worshipped Lord Shiva with meat and alcohol on Thursday as part of the festival.