'The festival found nowhere else': three-day jatra in Handigaun

The three-day Chokkathu Narayan Jatra has begun in Handigaun, Kathmandu.

Celebrated the day after Dashain's Kojagrat Purnima, the festival is also known as Chokte Narayan Jatra. The saying "the jatra found nowhere else is in Handigaun" is associated with this festival.

Three chariots representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar are taken out and paraded through the neighborhoods during the jatra. Brahma's chariot comes out from the upper Thatal neighborhood, Narayan's from the middle Nyalma neighborhood, and Maheshwar's from the lower Kotal neighborhood.

At the start of the jatra, all three chariots are placed in a single line. While other jatras typically have the spire (gajur) at the top, here the spire is placed at the bottom of the chariots with the deity's idol on top.

The bamboo-and-wood chariots are vigorously spun around from the base as they are carried in procession. Fragrant flowers made of wax are used to decorate the chariots.

Locals say these unusual customs are why it is called a jatra found nowhere else. As the chariots move through the neighborhoods, residents welcome the procession by performing worship.

Local residents and devotees take part in viewing and worshipping all three chariots.