KAVREPALANCHOK: The historical Chandeshwori Jatra officially started in Banepa of Kavrepalanchowk district from Sunday.

Considered to be the largest festival in the district, Chandeshwori Jatra is believed to be observed since 2,500 years ago, especially by the Newar community in the district.

The festival is celebrated from full moon of Nepali month of Baisakh month as per the lunar calendar for three days.

The Chandeshwori Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Chandeshwori, one of the forms of Nava Durga (Nine forms of Goddess Durga), is decorated with lights and flowers at present.

The custom of the festival includes offering animal sacrifice and distributing the animal meat as offerings to the crowd of devotees, said Manisha Bhochibhoya, a local resident.

He said that ‘Sarkari Puja’ and ‘Mat Puja’ (also Chirag Puja) are one of the parts of the festival. On the second day, the chariot procession with Goddess Chandeshwori takes place.

The festival commemorates the triumph over the demon Chandasur. Locals worship in the Temple situated at the northeast of Banepa city, marking the beginning of the festival.

They feast on delicacies later at night as a part of the celebration.

Elderly people singing hymns every morning and evening through the festival is another draw of the festival as, Rajchandra Shrestha puts it, that it attracts significant number of devotees and onlookers alike who want to relish the devotional music.

Schools and social organizations in and around Banepa remain closed for throughout the festival to celebrate it with great fervor.