Largest chariot celebrations of Kathmandu ready to begin
The three-day chariot parade of Seto Machhindranath, one of the largest chariot celebrations in the Kathmandu Valley, will begin to be dragged to various parts of the city on Saturday. The chariot was pulled by women from Tindhara Pathshala to Ghantaghar, just as it had been for the six years prior. It will then be hauled by men. The three-day chariot-pulling festival honors Seto Machhindranath, a highly revered god in the Kathmandu Valley.
Chariots are pulled from the Hanumandhoka durbar location to Lagan tole to commemorate the third day. The chariot’s entire framework is shaped like a temple and is drawn from both sides by heavy ropes. It is thought that the Seto Machhindranath festival started in 595 AD. Other names for the deity include Karunamaya, Aryavalokiteshwor, Janmadyo, and Jamaleswor.
