Construction Underway for Seto Machhindranath Chariot Festival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. The construction of the chariot for Seto Machhindranath, the deity of rain and harmony, which begins on Chaitra Dashain from Tindhara Pathshala in Durbar Marg, is currently underway. The Guthi Sansthan stated that the construction of the chariot started on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Spokesperson for the Sansthan, Janak Pokharel, informed that the chariot will be completed by Chaitra Shukla Saptami, which falls on Chaitra 11.

The chariot procession of Seto Machhindranath will commence from Tindhara Pathshala on Chaitra 12 at 4 PM. Every year, the Seto Machhindranath chariot procession is held in the capital from Chaitra Shukla Ashtami to Dashami.

On the first day, Chaitra 12, the chariot will be taken to Asan, where prayers and worship will be performed. The procession will continue through the inner parts of the city for three days. The journey will conclude after bringing the chariot back to Machhindra Bahal, passing through Asan, Basantapur, and Jaisidegal.

Neelakaji Shakya, the priest of Seto Machhindranath, committee coordinator, and former chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 25, informed that the tradition is to bring the Kumari to the Tindhara Pathshala premises to start the chariot procession on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, Chaitra 12.

President to View the Chariot on the Night of Chaitra 12

President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to view the chariot and receive prasad around 10 PM on the night of Chaitra 12 at Asan. It is a tradition for the Head of State to visit Asan after the chariot is pulled there to perform puja, darshan, and receive prasad.

Prior to Tindhara Pathshala, a 32-hand-long chariot was constructed and pulled starting from Chaitra Dashain. This chariot is considered a symbol of the serpent king (Nagraj). It is a religious belief that performing this procession every year brings rain and harmony.

On the second day, Chaitra 13, the chariot is moved from Asan to in front of Kal Bhairav at Basantapur. On the third day, Chaitra 14, the procession moves from Basantapur to Lagan. At Lagan, the chariot is circled three times around the temple of Seto Machhindranath's mother. After the Seto Machhindranath chariot procession in the capital concludes, the Rato Machhindranath chariot procession takes place.