Historical Bhagwati Jatra has been held continuously for two centuries in Palpa. Preparations for the Bhagwati Jatra, which is celebrated in joy/victory, when Nepal defeated the British army in the war, have been completed.
The Jatra, which is being celebrated on the day after Shri Krishna Janmashtami festival, has been taken out from the temple of Bhagwati located in Bhagwati Tol of Tansen Municipality-3 today. According to Rajeshwar Uday, chairman of Ranujeshwari Bhagwati Guni Board of Directors, there is a significant participation of locals in the Jatra. In the last two years due to the effect of Covid-19, the Jatra was carried out by moving the chariot around the temple premises for formality. This year, according to the tradition, the Jatra has been conducted around Tansen Nagar. The Jatra held this year is the 204th.
In commemoration of the victory of Nepal in the war with the British from December 1871 to June 1872 under the leadership of Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa as the administrator of Palpali, the victory festival has been celebrated continuously since 1877. On the night (Friday) before the procession of Bhagwati, Rath Puja and hymns were performed by the Nepali Army.
Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa, before going to the war in Butwal region, had vowed to touch the feet of Bhagwati Devi in the center of Tansen and if he won the war, he would build a temple and perform Sindur Jatra and spread the glory of Bhagwati all around. Thapa built a three-storied temple with Gajur from 1872 to 1876 after winning the war in Butwal Jeetgarhi area twice. Since 1977, the Rathjatra of Bhagwati has been conducted every year on the Navami day of Bhadra Krishna Paksha as a victory festival.
Spectators come from Palpa, Gulmi, Butwal, Kathmandu and other places to watch the old and famous Jatra. As it is connected with history, the audience has taken this Jatra as a special importance.
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