Jaya: Punhi festival being celebrated in Panauti

Kavrepalanchok: The residents of Panauti are celebrating Hilejatra or Jaya: Punhi for three days starting tomorrow.

The end of the festival marks the beginning of the farming season, especially the staple paddy.

This Jatra or fair, which is celebrated for three days, is considered to be the biggest Jatra among the local festivals.

During the Jatra, worshipping is performed in all the temples of Panauti.

Similarly, the idol of Ganesh located in the east of the Indreshwar Mahadev temple is carried on a chariot and paraded around the town.

On the day of Poornima or full moon, three chariots of Bhadrakali, Mahadev and Indreshwar are raced in the market early in the morning, with the chariots clashing against each other upon meeting.

The locals invite their guests throughout the Jatra and have a feast. It is also customary to sacrifice animals in each house for the feast.