LALITPUR: Lalitpur Metropolitan City has announced a local public holiday today (Wednesday) on the occasion of the ‘Coconut Dropping’ ritual observed during the Rato Machhindranath Rath Jatra, a festival of deep historical and religious significance.
Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan stated that all metropolitan and subordinate offices will remain closed on April 29, as a large number of residents are expected to participate.
The chariot procession, featuring Rato Machhindranath seated on a 32-foot-high rath, began in Pulchowk on April 21. The chariot is pulled through Gabahal, Mangalbazar, and Sundhara before reaching Lagankhel, where the ‘Bali Puja’ is performed. The coconut-dropping ritual takes place the following day from the top of the chariot.
Mayor Maharjan noted that the metropolitan city has been observing a public holiday on this occasion for the past three years, in recognition of its cultural and religious importance.
The coconut-dropping ritual, held in Lagankhel as part of the Jatra, carries strong religious beliefs and cultural value. The metropolitan city said the holiday has been declared both to honor tradition and to manage public participation, as large crowds are expected during the event.
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