KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Valley gears up for one of its grandest chariot festivals, the three-day Seto Machindranath Jatra, scheduled to commence on April 16.

Also known as ‘Jana Baha Dyah Jatra’, this chariot procession venerates the God of Rain.

Preparations are in full swing for the construction of the towering chariot of Seto Machindranath, which will be pulled through the streets during the festivities.

As the chariot reaches its destinations each day, soldiers perform a rifle salute into the air.

According to legend, during the reign of Yakshya Malla, the King of Kantipur, people would bathe in a holy river and visit Swayambhunath, believed to possess the power to send people to heaven after death. Upon learning of this power, Yama, the God of Death, visited the temple.

Upon his return, Yama was captured by King Malla and his guru, who demanded immortality. Unable to escape, Yama prayed to Arya Abalokiteswar (Seto Machhindranath) for release.

In response, the god appeared, white in color with half-closed eyes. He instructed the king to build a temple where the Kalmati and Bagmati rivers met and to organize the chariot procession so that he could visit the people, blessing them with contentment and long life. Since then, this three-day procession has been celebrated to honor the god.

Here are some pictures taken by Khabarhub Photojournalist Chirayu Shakya at Durbarmarg today: