Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 17:

Buddhist priests bathed the clay idol of Aryabalokiteshowr, also known as Seto Machhindranath or Janaba-dyo, at Gana Bahal, this evening.

The idol was bathed in holy water brought from different places to honour the supreme Mahayana Buddhist deity. The priests said the bathing ritual signifies the beginning of the year’s chariot festival that is to take place in mid-April. After the bathing ritual, the idol is given a fresh coat of paint by the family members of traditional artists. For the ritual, the idol was taken out from the temple and kept under a shade.

The locals believe that the day receives rainfall. “The light rainfall in the city today strengthened people’s belief,” said Purna Kaji Bajracharya, a spectator, who was enjoying the ceremony. The crowd which had gathered to witness this annual event was relatively thin due to the Valley Bandh called by the four political parties. The Buddhists from other cities like Patan, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur could not make it to the ceremony due to the non-availability of vehicles, said religious leaders.