Construction of Seto Machhendranath Chariot Begins; President to Attend Viewing on Chaitra 12
News Summary
Reviewed and finalized.
- From Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the construction of the Seto Machhendranath chariot has commenced at the Tin Dhara School on Durbar Marg.
- The chariot procession will begin at 4 PM on Chaitra 12 from Tin Dhara School and conclude with worship at Asan.
- During the procession, President Ramchandra Paudel traditionally views the chariot at Asan and receives prasada.
Kathmandu, 8 Chaitra – The construction of the chariot for Seto Machhendranath, the deity of rainfall and wellbeing, begins from Chaite Dashain day at Tin Dhara School located on Durbar Marg in preparation for the annual chariot festival.
According to the Guthi Institution, the chariot construction work started from Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Institution spokesperson Janak Pokharel informed Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) that the chariot will be completed by Chaitra Shukla Saptami, which is Chaitra 11.
The chariot procession will commence at 4 PM on Chaitra 12 from Tin Dhara School. Every year, the Seto Machhendranath chariot festival is held in the capital from Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Dashami.
This year, the chariot will be taken to Asan on the first day, Chaitra 12, where worship will be performed. The procession will continue through the inner parts of the capital for three days, covering Asan, Basantapur, Jaysideval, Lagan, and concluding back at Machhendranath Bahal. The institution traditionally arranges all materials, including the wood, for the chariot construction.
Pujari of Seto Machhendranath, committee coordinator, and former Chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan Ward No. 25, Neelakaji Shakya, mentioned that bringing the Kumari to the Tin Dhara School premises on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, Chaitra 12, to start the chariot procession is a longstanding tradition.
President to View Chariot on Night of Chaitra 12
On the night of Chaitra 12 at around 10 PM, President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to view the chariot and receive prasada after the chariot has been pulled to Asan.
It is a tradition for the President to attend the chariot at Asan, offering worship and viewing the deity after the chariot is brought in.
The chariot, 32 haath (approximately 19 meters) long, is built in front of Tin Dhara School and pulled starting from Chaite Dashain. It symbolizes the serpent king (Nagaraja). Religious belief holds that this festival brings rainfall and prosperity every year.
On the second day, Chaitra 13, the chariot is taken from Asan to the Kal Bhairav Temple in Basantapur.
On the third day, Chaitra 14, the procession moves from Basantapur to Lagan. At Lagan, it is customary to circle the temple of Seto Machhendranath’s mother three times around the chariot. After completing the Seto Machhendranath chariot festival in the capital, the procession for Rato Machhendranath also takes place.