Nepal’s longest Chariot festival moves closer to conclusion

Kathmandu-The chariot of Red Machhindranath, revered as the deity of rain and prosperity, has been pulled from Lagankhel to Jawalakhel in Lalitpur.The chariot procession began on Thursday afternoon and reached Jawalakhel in the evening. With the chariot now stationed in Jawalakhel, the much-awaited Bhoto Jatra festival will be celebrated on Saturday.

After Bhoto Jatra, the idol of Red Machhindranath will be carried back to Bungamati in a ceremonial palanquin, while the idol of Min Nath will be taken to Tangal on the chariot.This will mark the conclusion of this year’s Red Machhindranath chariot festival. Astrologers had selected Thursday as the auspicious date for pulling the chariot from Lagankhel to Jawalakhel.

 The festival began on May 19 with the placement of the deity in the chariot, while the chariot procession officially started on May 22.The Red Machhindranath Jatra is regarded as the longest-running chariot festival in Nepal.