Bishnu Prasad Aryal
Kathmandu, September 3
They came amidst a tight security, they saw and they went. They came to Basantapur to see the famous Indra Jatra and chariot pulling of living Goddess Kumari but they were welcomed with black flags. Thousands of devotees were present at the function.
They were President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Minister for Culture Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister for Energy Bal Krishna Khand, parliamentary members, high ranking government officials and ambassadors of different diplomatic missions among others here.
The Indra Jatra, which is very important festival of Newars, that began Tuesday will end on September 8. The main day of the Indra Jatra falls today and the chariot pulling of Kumari begins.
First PM Nepal arrived at 4:20 pm and the cadres of Newa: National Liberation Front, affiliated to the UCPN Maoist party shouted slogans against him and the President urging to resign. They demanded to table a Sankalp Prastav (Resolution motion) on the parliament against the President. They also shouted slogans against Indian envoy Rakesh Sood.
They were urging the people to boycott President and celebrate the festival. “President and defeated PM, resign from the posts!,” they shouted and floated pamphlets while they came there. However, people were desperate to observe the festival.
KATHMANDU: Three security personnel were injured and seven protestors at the Indra Jatra were held from Basantapur on Thursday. The policemen, who were injured in course of controlling mob, were admitted at Bir Hospital. One of the policemen was critically injured, according to the police. -- BPA
Devotee and onlooker Nani Mainya Maharjan of Ason said that it was the concern of Maoists but not of the Newars. “We care about our culture not the politics,” she added.
The good time to pull the chariot was scheduled at 4:30 pm. However, it could not begin on time as the President delayed to arrive, owing to the fragile situation there. “It is tense here, so President will be here soon,” said Nabin Joshi, member of the festival organising committee.
Living Goddess Kumari was brought outside the temple at 5:05 pm and the camerapersons and onlookers were thronging towards Goddess. President Dr Yadav arrived at 5:07 pm. The rituals and performances were going on. Kumari descended on the main of the three chariots.
It was 5:20 pm, the pulling of Kumari chariot began. It was pulled towards the area where President, PM, Ministers and diplomatic dignitaries were awaiting to see Goddess. The chariot reached in front of them at 5:25 pm. President and PM offered flowers to Kumari and it moved ahead.
Then they left the place being greeted with black flags again.
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