KATHMANDU: The Rato Machhindranath Chariot Management Committee has prepaRato an alternative proposal to ensure the smooth operation of the chariot procession ritual awaited by the Kathmanduites with special respect and zeal.
Considering both the coronavirus pandemic threat and the religious and cultural importance of the rituals of Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession, the management committee has come up with a new proposal to ensure the continuation of the rituals at the earliest.
The committee consisting of Paneju, astrologers and other stakeholders of the Machhindranath’s chariot procession has prepaRato the plan of continuing the rituals despite the pandemic threat.
According to the sources, the committee has shaRato the plan to concerned stakeholders and written to President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Oli, Guthi Sansthan and District Administration Offices of Lalitpur and Kathmandu, Lalitpur Metropolitan City and other stakeholders seeking consent and affirmative response from them all.
Reverend astrologer Kirtimardan Joshi remarked that the proposal is designed in such a way that there would not be much crowd yet the cultural and religious rituals of the feasts would still be continued.
“The proposed plan keeps in mind the most important aspects of the health safety standards set by the state yet it does not let the cultural, religious and social aspects of the rituals derail,” he said, “Hence, Head of the nation, Head of the government and other concerned authorities are written to as they are also the part of the rituals.”
The committee has sought the District Administration Office of the concerned districts to enforce a curfew, prohibitory order or other provisions discouraging the mass involvement in the procession especially in the route of chariot pulling ceremony.
It has been advised to ensure that nothing disturbing the chariot pulling ceremony is lying in 50 meters of the route.
It has also sought permission to let 90-100 people that meet health safety criteria to be deployed in the chariot pulling.
It has written to and expected the cooperation from the Metropolitan Cities, the administration and other authorities in the issues related to the safety and security of the goods and people involved.
The chariot procession that used to take place in the evening time before will be conducted in the morning from 6 am this year.
The meeting was attended by Chief Priest Kamal Raj Bajracharya, Barahi leader Dil Kumar Barahi, Yambal Navin Maharjan(Bhola), Ghaku leader Narayan Vyanjankar, Ghaku Tie Maharjan, Ghaku Kavin Shakya, President of 32 Paneju Sangh Yagya Ratna Shakya, Paneju Narendra Raj Shakya and Daibagya Jyotishi Kirtimadan Joshi among many others.
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