Seto Machhindranath chariot falls down, hurts 12

Kathmandu, April 13:

The chariot of Seto Machhindranath fell down at Ratnapark this evening, injuring over 12 persons. The chariot fell upon on a moving minibus after losing balance while being pulled towards Bhotahity.

According to an eyewitness, the chariot tumbled down after losing balance when it was being pulled on an uneven and steep surface of the road.

All the injured are undergoing treatment at the Bir Hospital.

Two of the injured, including one guru Ratna Harsha Shakya, sustained serious injuries. Two people were injured when the chariot struck a electricity pole in front of Teendhara Sanskrit Pathshala. Immediately after the incident, security personnel arrived at the site of incident to rescue the injured persons.

The damaged chariot has blocked the traffic at Ratnapark, chock-a-block with people and traffic.

It is believed that such an incident could be “inauspicious and could invite unfortunate consequences to the nation”.

Earlier in 2001, the chariot of Seto Machhindranath had fallen down before the Royal Massacre.

Priest Nil Kajee Shakya claimed that this incident could bring inauspicious consequences to the nation.

Shakya said the Raj Purohit and the main priest would discuss the issue and decide on further plans to continue the Seto Machhindranath jatra. Priest Nil Kajee Shakya also blamed the government for not adopting necessary security measures to avoid the incident.

Chaitra Dashain marks the start of the chariot festival, specifically the chariot festival of god Seto Machhindranath.

The shrine of Seto Machhindranath is located inside the courtyard of Janabahal, situated at the heart of Kathmandu City.

On the first day of Seto Machhindranath festival, the image of the god is placed in a special chariot built with cane and timber. The chariot is rolled with the help of huge wooden wheels measuring up to 6 feet in diameter. The chariot is pulled around the major streets of the Kathmandu for four days.