Historical Bhagwati Jatra (Ratha Yatra) is being taken out today at Tansen in Palpa in celebration of Nepal's defeat of the British. Ashok Maharjan, president of the Ranujeshwari Bhagwati Guthi Board of Directors, informed that there is a tradition of carrying out the Rath Yatra of Bhagwati every year on the day after Krishna Janmashtami. Accordingly, the 207th chariot of Bhagwati is going to be taken out today.

Today at 12:30 pm on the auspicious day, Maharjan informed that the historical Bhagavati Jatra will be taken out from the temple of Bhagwati in Bhagwati tol of Tansen municipality-3 after Brahmin recites Swasti. He says that it will not be in the midst of bazaagaza, crowd and joy like in previous years. Maharjan said that while the country is suffering from Bhotekoshi flood, the Jatra is going to be conducted in a moderate and formal manner.

President Maharjan said that since the country is in a state of mourning, it has been decided not to make unnecessary pomp and show in the Jatra this year. He said, 'The country is in mourning after the devastating flood in Bhotekoshi caused huge human and material damage. Keeping this situation in mind, we have decided to limit the victory celebration only to formalities.' According to him, there is no panchebaja or dhime baja like in the past. Chairman Maharjan informed that weapons of the Nepalese army will be used.

The Rath will be taken out in the presence of Lumbini Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya and other dignitaries. The Bhagwati Rath Yatra will proceed after the Nepali Army salutes and circumambulates the temple three times. It is also known as Bhagwati Jatra, Rath Yatra meaning Vermilion Jatra. The Bhagwatijatra (Ratha Yatra) taken out from the temple of Bhagwati on auspicious day will be worshiped and sacrificed by the chief district officer on behalf of the government.

According to Rajendra Gopal Singh, a local of IA, the victory festival Bhagwati Jatra has been celebrated continuously since 1877 to commemorate the victory of Nepal under the leadership of Colonel Ujirsinh Thapa as Palpali administrator in the war with the British from 1871 December to 1872 June.

Colonel Thapa touched the feet of Bhagwati Devi in ​​the center of Tansen before going to battle in Butwal area to prevent Butwal region from falling into the hands of the British when the domestic weapons and military conditions were weak. "After winning twice in the war in Butwal Jitgarhi area, Colonel Thapa built a three-storied temple with Gajur and announced that every year since 1977, the Navami day of Bhadra Krishna Paksha will be celebrated as a victory festival," said local Singh.

Since the British were defeated in the war, the name of the temple, which is being operated as a Vijayatra, has also been famous from Ranujireshwari. Colonel Ujirsinh Thapa, the then Palpa commander of the Nepalese army, before going to war, had vowed to build a three-story temple and perform a vermillion pilgrimage to Bhagwati if he won the war. After winning the war, Colonel Thapa started celebrating Bhagwati Jatra on the day after Krishna Janmashtami in 1877. According to the local Singh, the tradition continues till today.

Published: 20 Bhadra 2083 09:48 Saturday