Festival of Seto Machhendranath

This is a four-day chariot festival held in honor of the White (Seto) Machchhendranath (to be distinguished from the Red (Rato) form of the same divinity in Patan), who is actually the Padmapani Lokeshwara, whose permanent shrine is situated at Janabahal in Kel Tole in the middle of the old bazaar in Kathmandu.  Held annually during the month of March – April and based on the lunar calendar, this is a festival involving a week long chariot procession of Seto Machhendranath. Decorated with flowers and greenery a huge chariot of wood supported on four large wheels and carrying a tall spire covered with green foliage is made ready for receiving the image of the divinity on this occasion and for dragging in the old part of city.  There is such a spontaneous and heavy turnout of the devout people to pay obeisance of this god, who is also said to be the 'embodiment of compassion', at this time. The living Goddess – Kumari is brought in the golden Chariot to grace the occasion along with the head of the states and high level governmental / military officials.

Glance of Nepal