Kathmandu, March 31. The Seto Machhindranath Jatra festival in Kathmandu continued into its third day on Friday, with an exciting development for devotees. The living goddess Kumari, who resides in the Kumari Ghar, was brought out of her abode and taken to Lagan for seeing the Janbaha Dyo deity.

The Janbaha Dyo deity, who is believed to be the divine force of rain, was taken in a grand chariot from Hanuman Dhoka through Maru and Chikan Mugal to Lagan. Traditional musical bands accompanied the journey, and devotees lined up along the route to offer their respects to the deity. The next day, on Saturday, the chariot of Janbaha Dyo will encircle his mother’s temple, also known as Aama Rukh, three times.

In an interview with DC Nepal, Priest Raju Muni Bajracharya, who is among the eight priests leading the Seto Machhindranath Jatra festival, shared his insights about the tradition of Chariot encircling the Aama Rukh, “The mother of the Janbaha Dyo deity lives in her temple in Lagan, and the chariot procession is a way to pay homage to her,” said Priest Raju.

Bajracharya further explained, “The Janbaha Dyo deity is believed to have the power to lengthen the life of a person. Therefore, old-aged people visit the deity while the chariot is in Lagan, seeking blessings for a longer and healthier life.

On Sunday, the final day of the festival, the Janbaha Dyo deity will be taken back to Janbahal and restored to its abode, marking the end of the Jatra festival for this year.

All Photos: Simon Paudel