A Sacred Festival of Rain, Faith, and Unity
Machindranath Jatra, also known as Rato Machindranath Jatra, is one of the longest and most spectacular chariot festivals in Nepal, particularly celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, mainly in Patan (Lalitpur). It is dedicated to Rato Machindranath, the god of rain and harvest, worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. The festival is an age-old tradition believed to date back more than 1,600 years.
Rato Machindranath is considered an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani) by Buddhists and a form of Karunamaya, a rain god, by Hindus. He is revered as a deity who brings rainfall and fertility, crucial for an agrarian society.The heart of the festival is the construction and pulling of a towering wooden chariot (rath) carrying the idol of Rato Machindranath through the streets of Patan. The chariot, over 60 feet tall, is made from traditional materials and techniques, constructed afresh each year by skilled artisans.
- The journey of the chariot spans several weeks.
- Locals pull the chariot with great fervor, accompanied by music, rituals, and celebration.
- The route includes many sacred and historical stops.