KATHMANDU:
Rato Machhindranath's chariot procession was adjourned until further notice.
Guthi
Sansthan 's chief of the Lalitpur division, Rajan Bhuju, today issuing a
follow-up notice told that the procession had been postponed for now because of
the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.
"We would like to inform all
concerned stakeholders that after obtaining the auspicious date and time for
the same, the Rato Machhindranath chariot procession will be
re-scheduled," Chief Bhuju claimed in the note.
Earlier, the Guthi Sansthan had told
through a notice released on Tuesday that the chariot procession would start
from Saturday , July 25.
Rato
Machhindranath carriage procession to commence on 25 July
The Rato
Machhindranath (Bunga Dyah) chariot procession, dedicated to the God of Rain,
was rescheduled to commence in Patan on Saturday , July 25.
Bunga Dyah
is venerated by both Hindus and Buddhists as the God of Rain and Harvest.
Guthi Sansthan Chief of Lalitpur
Branch Office, Rajan Bhuju, told on Saturday that the auspicious starting time
for the chariot procession will be from 12:05 pm to 12:25 pm.
The procession of the chariot will
start from Pulchowk and pass through Lalitpur's main streets like Natole,
Gabahal, Mangal Bazaar, Patan Sundhara, Lagankhel, Kumaripati and Jawalakhel.
Since the procession finishes in
Jawalakhel, another festival begins with great respect-Bhoto Jatra. The parade
attracts an immense audience of worshippers and onlookers. There is a special
day when women pull the chariot solely on the stretch between Iti and Thati
localities.
The
Machhindranath Jatra was previously cancelled on April 10 due to restrictions
placed on cultural and social events due to the possibility of transmission by
Covid-19.
