Jagannath Rath Yatra in Kathmandu (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: The Jagannath Rath Yatra, which is celebrated annually on the second day of the bright fortnight of Asar as per the lunar calendar, has been observed.

The chariot procession began from Kamaladi and passed through Ghantaghar, Jamal, Durbar Marg, Putalisadak, Bhadrakali, and Basantapur, finally concluded at Tundikhel on Friday.

According to the Skanda Purana, one day Lord Jagannath (Krishna) was requested by his sister Subhadra to take her for a tour of the city and to see Dwarka. Accepting her request, Krishna set out on the city tour accompanied by his elder brother Baladeva (Balaram). The Jagannath Rath Yatra is said to be celebrated in memory of this journey.

The tradition of this procession began in Puri, in the Indian state of Odisha, where a grand temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath stands. Known as Jagannath Puri, this holy site is considered one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) for Hindus.

In Nepal, the Jagannath Rath Yatra was first organized in 2038 B.S. by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON Nepal), beginning from Kamaladi.

Over the years, this festival has grown in popularity and is now celebrated in various cities across Nepal, including Kathmandu, Dharan, Bhaktapur, Patan, Banepa, Janakpur, Lahan, and Itahari.

(Glimpses of Jagnnath chariot procession)

(Photos: Saroj Basnet)

Nepali version of the photo feature)