Rato Machhindranath chariot procession begins

KATHMANDU: The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, revered as the deity of rain and prosperity, has begun with the ceremonial placement of the deity on the chariot.

The idol of Machhindranath was placed on the chariot on Monday, the first day of the bright half of Baishakh, as per the auspicious timing determined for the ritual. The deity’s idol was carried in a palanquin from Tabahal in Lalitpur to the chariot in Pulchok, marking the official start of the Machhindranath festival.

The deity resides for six months at Tabahal in Patan and the remaining six months in Bungamati. The idol was brought to Tabahal in Patan from Bungmati in December last year.

Three days after placing the idol on the chariot, the Rato Machhindranath chariot is pulled from Pulchok to Jawalakhel through Mangal Bazaar, Sundhara and Lagankhel.

The festival concludes in Jawalakhel with the ceremonial display of Bhoto (sacred vest) in the presence of the President, Prime Minister, ministers and other dignitaries.

The idol is then placed in a traditional palanquin and carried with cultural music and processions from Jawalakhel to Machhindrabahal in Bungamati.

The deity is believed to have been brought from Kamaru Kamachhya in Assam state of India by a group of three people representing the three kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley to overcome the drought.