The grand Ganesh Janmostav Jatra and Ganesh Rath Yatra were celebrated with great enthusiasm in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur. The festival saw a grand procession where the silver idol of Lord Ganesh was placed on a chariot from the Suryavinayak Ganesh Temple, accompanied by traditional music and vibrant Sindoor Jatra. The chariot was paraded through various localities, marking the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.
On the auspicious day of Bhadra Shukla Chaturthi, which is observed as Ganesh Chaturthi, residents of Suryabinayak Municipality Wards 6 and 8 gathered at the Suryavinayak Ganesh Temple early in the morning for rituals and worship. The primary idol of Lord Ganesh was placed on a ceremonial platform and the grand Jatra commenced in the evening, with thousands of locals participating.
The event was jointly organized by the Suryabinayak Area Management Committee and Suryabinayak Youth Club. The procession, also known as “Inare Ganedyo Khat Jatra,” involved carrying the idol through various neighborhoods throughout the day, culminating in a grand conclusion by evening. Pushparaj Basnet, the Ward Chair of Suryabinayak Municipality-8 and chair of the Area Management Committee, shared that this age-old tradition had been halted due to financial constraints for several years. However, for the past five years, it has been celebrated annually with significant local participation. This year, too, the festival saw joyous celebrations, with the chariot touring various localities amid the vibrant Sindoor Jatra. He added that both wards contributed NPR 300,000 each for the management of the festival.
Manoj Giri, President of the Youth Club, emphasized the importance of continuing this ancient tradition, which has been celebrated on Ganesh Chaturthi since time immemorial. Participants, men and women alike played with sindoor and carried the chariot through key areas such as Rajthala Tole to the west, Gahana Devi Temple to the east, and Araniko Highway near Suryabinayak Chowk to the north. The idol was finally returned to the temple, marking the conclusion of the Jatra.
Suryavinayak, one of the four main Vinayaks of the Kathmandu Valley, is known locally as “Inare Ganedyo.” According to the Area Management Committee, the temple’s main idol is brought out for public worship only twice a year—once during Ganesh Chaturthi for the Jatra, and again on April 15 (Baishakh 3) during the Bisket Jatra when it is taken to Talaku in Bhaktapur for further rituals. On April 16 (Baishakh 4), the idol is presented for worship during the “Dyo Swanga” Jatra.
This year’s Ganesh Jatra was a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and community spirit, reviving a legacy cherished by locals for generations.
