Rampur (Palpa), Aug 27: President Ramchandra Paudel performed puja rituals at the historic Ranaujireshwori Bhagawati Temple in Tansen, the headquarters of Palpa district, on Tuesday. The Head of the State also participated in the chariot procession of goddess Ranaujireshwori Bhagawati.     

First Lady Sabita Paudel also joined the President in performing the puja rituals.     

Defence Minister Manbir Rau, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, Chief of Lumbini Province Tularam Gharti, Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya, chiefs of the province-based security bodies and high-ranking officials also participated in the chariot procession.     

The procession commemorates the victory of the Gorkhali army over the British forces in the Anglo-Nepal War fought at the Jitgadhi Fort in Butwal. The Nepali forces fought against the forces of the then British East India Company under the command of Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa from 1871 to 1872.     

The chariot procession is organized the next day of Bhadra Krishna Astami or the Shree Krishna Janmashtami (the birth anniversary of lord Krishna).     

The chariot procession has been organized every year since 1877 BS and for the 205th time today. As per the tradition, the chariot procession sets out from the Bhagawati Temple at Tansen Municipality-3, said Ashok Maharjan, the Chairman of the Bhagawati Temple Management Committee.     

The chariot procession marches ahead from the temple after the chariot is taken around the temple three times amidst the Nepali Army’s offering of salute. The chariot procession is also called Bhagawati Jatra, Rath Jatra and Sindoor Jatra.     

There is the tradition of the Chief District Officer of Palpa making offerings, including an animal sacrifice on behalf of the government side after the chariot is taken out from the main gate of the Sheetal Pati following its consecration at the Bhagawati Temple at the auspicious hour.     

The Bhagawati Jatra chariot procession is accompanied by teams singing hymns, the Panche Baja music troupe, the Lakhe Nach dance, and various cultural floats amidst the participation of schools and various organizations. The chariot procession is taken around the main thoroughfares of Tansen town before it is concluded upon reaching the Bhagawati Temple. (RSS)