Four new wheels crafted for Rato Machhindranath chariot

Kathmandu, Mar. 14: The construction of the four wheels of the Rato Machhindranath chariot was completed on Friday. The new wheels were built in the traditional style to replace the damaged ones.

Two wheels of the chariot were completely destroyed by fire during the Gen-Z protest. As per tradition, four new wheels must be built if one wheel becomes damaged or non-functional, said Dil Kumar Barahi, leader of the Barahi Da Guthi.

He said that two years ago, in February/March 2024, all four wheels were rebuilt after two wheels were damaged. After two years, four new wheels have again been constructed this year.

According to religious and cultural beliefs, the wheels of the Rato Machhindranath chariot are generally constructed once every 12 years. However, there is a tradition of building new wheels mid-cycle in the case of accidental disasters or damage.

Following the damage inflicted on the historic chariot during the protests, the reconstruction process was initiated through the efforts of local Guthi committees and the Guthi Sansthan of Lalitpur, he said.

He added that experienced and skilled artisans have been working day and night on the construction, which began on the auspicious occasion of Saraswati Puja on January 23, 2026. The goal was to complete the wheels, which were being built while strictly maintaining ancient methods and styles, within one and a half months. It is believed that once the chariot wheels are ready, it will be easier to resume the regular procession and religious rituals of Machhindranath.

Another worship ceremony will be performed on Saturday, following the completion of the wheel construction work. Along with the construction of the wheels, the repair and rebuilding of other parts of the chariot have already begun at the premises of Tabahal, near the Rato Machhindranath Temple in Lalitpur, since January/February, he informed.

The bathing ritual of Rato Machhindranath will be performed on April 3, and the following day, the process of assembling and structuring the chariot will begin at Pulchowk. The construction of the Minnath chariot will also begin in Tangal (Patan). Machhindranath, the good harvest and prosperity, will be placed on the 48-foot chariot constructed at Pulchowk, Lalitpur, on April 18, and the chariot pulling procession will begin on April 21