Kathmandu Metropolis Gears Up for Annual Seto Machhindranath Chariot Festival

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is preparing to operate this year's Janabaha Dyah (Seto Machhindranath) chariot procession. A meeting held on Monday under the chairmanship of KMC Acting Chief Sunita Dangol discussed issues related to chariot route management, coordination of religious, cultural, and social activities, and peace and security with relevant agencies.

It was informed in the meeting that the procession will operate across nine wards of KMC (1, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 28). During the discussion, Acting Chief Dangol announced that the financial assistance provided for operating the chariot has been increased from NPR 1 million to NPR 2 million. She stated, "Let us all work together to ensure that the devotees participating in the procession experience a dignified festival."

"The District Administration Office will mobilize the security apparatus for tight security," said Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Ishwar Raj Poudel. "KMC must take the responsibility of coordinating with locals and partners to enhance the grandeur of the procession," he added.

KMC will undertake the maintenance, improvement, sanitation, and management of the routes where the procession will take place. Ashaman Sangat, Coordinator of the KMC Heritage and Tourism Committee, said, "Let us work to create a conducive environment for observing the procession."

Neelakaji Shakya, the chief priest of Seto Machhindranath and former ward chairman of KMC, said, "Its message needs to be conveyed to the world. Let us coordinate in a way that fosters a sense of ownership for this event."

According to Sujiv Bajracharya, Coordinator of the Janabaha Dyah Jatra Management Committee, this year's procession will begin with the palanquin journey from Keltole on Chaitra 12. On the same day at 10:00 PM, the President is scheduled to visit Asan for darshan. On the 13th, at 5:00 PM, the idol will be carried from Asan to Hanumandhoka via Balkumari, Keltole, and Indrachowk.

Similarly, on the 14th at 5:00 PM, it will be carried from Hanumandhoka to Lagan via Chikunmugal, Jaisideval, and Jyaubahal. On the 15th, the tree where Machhindranath's mother resides in Lagan will be circumambulated. The following day, Chaitra 16, the final day of the chariot procession, the idol will be placed in a palanquin in Lagan and carried to Janabaha via Jyaubahal Dya: Lã, Yutunani, Kohiti, Bhimsensthan, Maru, Yetkha, Naradevi, Kilaghah, Bhedasingh, and Keltole.

This chariot procession traditionally begins on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami every year. It starts from Jamal in Kathmandu and concludes at Janabaha on Chaitra Shukla Purnima.