KATHMANDU: The chariot of Seto Machhindranath, revered as the god of rains and prosperity, has been pulled to Lagan Tole. Upon reaching Lagan, the chariot also circumambulated the temple of Machhindranath’s mother, located in the same area.

The annual chariot procession begins on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of the Nepali month of Chaitra from Teen Dhara Pathshala. On the third day, the chariot is traditionally pulled from Hanuman Dhoka to Lagan. With the chariot now in Lagan, a large number of devotees gathered to offer worship, prayers, and devotion.

Lagan is home to the temple of Machhindranath’s mother. On the third day, the chariot was taken from Hanuman Dhoka through Chikamugal, Jaisideval, and Jyabahal before reaching Lagan.

Traditionally, the procession reaches Ason on the first day and Hanuman Dhoka on the second day, which coincides with the festival of Ram Navami. Hundreds of people participated in this year’s chariot procession.

Preparations for the festival began on Thursday at around 4 p.m., when the deity’s sacred seat (khat) was brought from Kel Tole to in front of Teen Dhara Pathshala on Durbar Marg. The chariot procession officially started in the evening after placing the deity in the chariot, according to the Seto Machhindranath Chariot Management Committee. On the day of Ashtami (Saturday), the living goddess Kumari was also brought to the Teen Dhara Pathshala premises before the procession began.

On the final day of the festival, the idol of Machhindranath will be removed from the chariot, placed back on the khat, and taken to Machhindra Bahal.

SETO MACHINDRANATH