Kathmandu, Apr. 16: The three-day chariot procession of Seto Machhindranath is being started on Tuesday with the chariot being pulled from Tindhara Pathsala. 

The chariot is being pulled from Tindhara Pathsala to Ghantaghar, and women and tourists too are expected to pull the chariot this year.    

Shriju Pradhan, Chief of the Tourism Division of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), said that for the first time, the foreigners who come to Nepal for a visit will take part in the chariot-pulling. KMC has collaborated with the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) to manage tourists for the event. HAN will manage the tourists participating in the chariot procession. 

“Last year, we invited many foreigners to observe the festival. With the aim of promoting the Seto Machhindranath Jatra at the international level, we have decided to involve tourists in the procession,” said Pradhan. The festival honours the rain god, and it depicts Nepal’s rich cultural heritage.

The special card will be distributed to the tourists taking part in the procession, said Pradhan.    

Likewise, the KMC has allocated Rs. 1 million for the management of Seto Machhindranath Jatra. Seto Machhindranath Jatra Management Committee is responsible for the overall management of the Jatra.  

Nani Hira Maharjan, President of Nani Hira Rath Yatra Committee said that women are ready to pull the chariot along with men and foreigners this year.  

The first-day chariot procession will start on Tuesday at 5 pm. Mayor and Deputy Mayor of adjoining municipalities will also participate in the procession.   This chariot procession honoring the god of rain is also known as ‘Jana Baha Dyah Jatra’. 

On the first day, the chariot is pulled from Tindhara Pathsala through Ghantaghar, Ratnapark to Ason by a huge crowd of devotees.  In the past, women were not allowed to touch the chariots but this tradition ended in 2018 when women were allowed to pull the chariot. 

After women pulled the chariot of Kumari during Indra Jatra, in the initiation of the former Mayor of Kathmandu, Bidhya Sundar Shakya, women started pulling the chariot of Seto Machhindranath. 

The procession was not organised in the first phase of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year women are participating for the 7th time in the chariot pulling procession. 

Seto Machhindranath chariot is built in a triangular shape following the traditional method.