Seto Machindranath Jatra (Also known as Jana Bha Dyah Jatra) is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Kathmandu, Nepal. This festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists. This festival is in honor of Seto Machindranath, also known as Avalokiteshvara, a deity by the Hindus and Arya Avalokiteshvara, a Bodhisattva by the Buddhists. It is a chariot festival where a chariot having the image of Set Machindra is kept and paraded around the city.
This festival lasts for 3 days where the chariot is pulled by the people, from Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka) to Ason to Indra Chowk to Jaisideval to Lagan. Celebrated in March-April (Chaitra in the Nepali lunar calendar), this festival is significant to the Newar community of Kathmandu. The temple for this deity is located in Jana Bahal, and is believed to has been established around the 10th century.
The chariot is about 10 meters tall, where the chariot is pulled from location to location, and at the end of the day, when the destination is reached, soldiers fire their guns into the air. This symbolizes the god’s visit to the city to bless the people and give them hope for the future. The mix of Hindu and Buddhist cultures coexisting in harmony, celebrating the same god in their own ways. The streets are filled with people singing, dancing, drinking, and all over a very fun festive mood.
According to the most well known legend, in the time of King Yakshya Malla, people used to visit Swayambhu Mahachaitya to gain access to heaven after their deaths. Curious about it, Yamaraj (God of Death) went to visit the place hoping, he too could go to heaven. On his return, he was captured by King Yakshya and his tantric guru who demanded immortality for his release. Yamaraj couldn’t comply with that demand, so the King refused to let him go. Yamaraj sought the help of Avalokiteshvara, who descended in the form of Seto Machindranath from the water. Then Avalokiteshvara told the King that neither he nor Yamaraj had to ability to give immortality to anyone, and promised that if the King built a temple, he would grant a long life to everyone who worshipped the temple. Hearing this, the King released Yamaraj. From then on the 3 days chariot festival was born.
This festival shows the deep and rich culture of Nepal, the lore and history, and the religious and cultural significance that all the Nepali people take pride in. At this festival, everyone comes together and celebrates wishing for a long and peaceful life.
image source – Wikipedia