KAVREPALANCHOWK: Residents of Panauti are set to celebrate the three-day Hilejatra, also known as Jya: Punhi, starting tomorrow.
The festival marks the end of the season and signals the beginning of the farming period, especially for planting paddy, the staple crop. This Jatra, considered the largest among local festivals, is celebrated with great enthusiasm over three days.
During the festival, worship is conducted at all temples across Panauti. The idol of Ganesh, located east of the Indreshwar Mahadev temple, is carried on a chariot and paraded through the town.
On the day of Poornima (full moon), three chariots representing Bhadrakali, Mahadev, and Indreshwar are raced through the market early in the morning. The chariots clash against each other when they meet, creating a lively spectacle.
Throughout the festival, locals invite guests and hold feasts. It is also customary for each household to sacrifice animals as part of the celebrations.
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