White Machhindranath: A Chariot parade of Nepal
KATHMANDU, April 5: White Machhindranath, also known as Seto Machindranath, Karunamaya, Aryavalokitesvara and Jamaleswor, is a chariot parade celebrated in Nepal during Chaitra according to Nepali calendar.
This year’s chariot procession started on Tuesday.
Lord Machhindranath
Seto Machhindranath is a deity or Lord worshipped by the Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The deity is bathed and repainted, then is placed in a chariot and is paraded around Kathmandu for three days.
There is a belief that bathing the deity symbolizes the changes occurring throughout over lives.
Each day when the chariot has reached its destination a group of soldiers fire their rifles into the air. On the first day the deity is brought to Jamal by the priests. Then it is pulled to Asan, via Ratnapark and Bhotahity. The next day it is pulled from Asan to Hanumandhoka. Finally it is pulled to Lagantole via Murahity and Jaisideval. During all three days people come and pay their respect to the god.
Seto Machhindranath temple is located in Janabahal (also known as Machhindra Bahal) in Kathmandu. The temple is believed to have established around 10th century BC. Hindu people worship Seto Machindranath as the god of rain and the Buddhists people worship the deity as an aspect of Avalokiterhvara.