Kathmandu, Sept. 6 -- The rain god Machindranath's chariot procession that was stopped following aclash between locals and policeon Thursday resumed on Sunday, but with restriciton on gatherings of people and enforcement of separataion of pullers and devotees.

The local administration, Guthi Sansthan trust and local groups involved in the festivaldecided over the weekend to re-commence the centuries old jatra with safety measures. On Friday, Chyama Puja rituals were conducted amidst a curfew imposed to ensure that there was no more violence.

The chariot pullers were wearing face shields, gloves and masks, maintaining distance on the ropes and devotees were not allowed to gather to watch. The festival, which was suppsoed to take place in...