Rato Machhindranath mounted on chariot, Jatra from Monday

 Lalitpur, Apr. 22: The red god of good harvest and plentifulness has finally taken their place on the 48-foot chariot constructed at Pulchowk, Lalitpur, on the first day of the bright fortnight of the Nepali month of Baisakh. The scarlet-coloured deity, widely known as the Rato (red) Machhindranath and taken around the city of Lalitpur during their famous Rato Machhindranath Jatra, was mounted on the wooden carriage at around 7.30 pm Friday evening. 

Lord Machhindranath, also called Bunga Dyo and Karunamaya, was brought from their temple at Machhindra Bahal, Tangal, on a palanquin and placed on the chariot.

According to Dil Kumar Barahi, leader of the Barahi Da Guthi, which represents the community of carpenters who carve and assemble the wooden parts of the nine-storey conical wagon, the god cannot be placed on the chariot until the Bamwo, a round tray-shaped accessory at the top of the Machhindranath carriage, is installed. “This year, it took us longer to fit the Bamwo which is why the Ratharohan took place only in the evening.”

On the fourth day of the Ratharohan, the Jatra begins in earnest and the four-wheeled chariot is pulled from its place of construction at Pulchowk to Gabahal. This year, that day is on Monday. From Gabahal, the chariot is towed to Mangal Bazaar and then to Sundhara. From Sundhara, it is taken to Chakrabahil and to Lagankhel. At Lagankhel, the chariot circumambulates the special Maju Sima tree at the centre of the bus park. The tree is regarded as a symbol of Lord Machhindranath’s mother. 

After a few days at Lagankhel, the chariot is pulled by women to Thati. The chariot rests at Thati for weeks or months until an auspicious date is determined to take it to Jawalakhel. 

The Jatra concludes when the Bhoto, a traditional vest kept with Machhindranath until the ownership dispute between a mythical farmer and a ghost is sorted out, is displayed to the Head of the State and normal citizens.

Overall, the Jatra lasts for three to four months and is considered the longest chariot festival of the country. 

Rato Machhindranath is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Meanwhile, Tirtha Lal Maharjan, president of Jyapu Samaj, one of the main bodies in charge of managing the festival, informed that all the preparations had been completed to ensure that the Jatra proceeded without any hiccups.