KATHMANDU, May 22: Lalitpur Metropolitan City has announced a local holiday for Wednesday in observance of the auspicious coconuts-throwing ceremony during the Rato Machhindranath chariot procession.
The Lalitpur Metropolitan Office and its subordinate offices will be closed on this day. This decision was made during a meeting of the Municipal Executive Committee on April 30.
Local government in Kapilbastu announces public holiday for the...
Rekha Das Shrestha, the chief administrative officer of the metropolis, confirmed the holiday in a notice issued on Tuesday. The notice stated, "The long and historic chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, celebrated by the city, will see the chariot procession through the streets. The coconuts-throwing ceremony, which draws a significant number of devotees and holds religious importance, will be observed. Therefore, a local holiday has been declared for Lalitpur Metropolitan City and its subordinate offices."
The Rato Machhindranath chariot procession began on May 11. Rato Machhindranath is revered as the god of rain.
The procession starts from Pulchowk and proceeds through Gabahal, Sundhara, and Lagankhel, eventually reaching Jawalakhel, where the Bhoto Jatra ceremony is held. Following this, the idol of Machhindranath is placed at Bungamati.
The tradition of throwing coconuts takes place when the procession reaches Lagankhel from Sundhara. According to legends, whoever catches the coconuts and offers them to god Rato Machhindranath, he/she is blessed with a son.
