The Rato Machhendranath Jatra, May-June 2011 (45 photos)

The Chariot of Machhendranath at Sundhara

The Rato Machhendra Nath, which is also worshipped as the ‘God of Rain’, is popular with many names. Karunamaya, Loknath, Bungadhhyo, Bodhisattwa, Padmapani, Awalokeswara etc. to name a few.There is a long tradition to worship this deity as the all-compassionate god of rain and food grain.

Until a few decades ago, before the Kahtmandu Valley became a purely commercial hub, it was an agricultural land, which depended upon the rainy monsoon for its important rain crops. Today, though traditional farming practices have reduced, the pre monsoon season still sees great worship made to Red Macchendranath. Patan’s streets and palace complexes are made even more evocative by wavering lamp and candle lights, women busily cooking feasts and men gathering strength to pull the chariot of the ‘Rain-God’. As Lord Macchendranath views his followers  from the high seat of his chariot, its four wheels, representing the four powerful Bhairab, receive rice and vermillion powder, the King of Serpents is asked for blessing, and his jeweled vest is shown  to the Public on the day of ‘Bhoto Jatra‘.

Nepal, where more than 80% of the people depend upon agriculture. Even to this era of science and technology, majority of farmers depend upon monsoon for cultivation. In Nepal, monsoon begins in the middle of June and continues till August. But the Nepalese farmers begin to worry long before the monsoon wondering whether they are going to get enough rain or not this year. So in order to persuade themselves and stay relaxed, they pray to the ‘Rain God’ for better harvest. This is why the first day of the bright fortnight of Baishakh, the first month of Nepali New Year, is regarded as the most propitious occasion for the entire farmers’ community especially of Kathmandu Valley.

The view of the chariot of Machhendranath from Mangal Bazaar

The ‘Rato Machhendra Nath Jatra’ begins on the first day of the bright fortnight of Baishakh, the first month of Nepali New Year. The chariot of ‘Rato Machhendra Nath’ is built before the festival and is again disassembled after the festival every year. A group of enthusiastic, highly skilled and brave people take the responsibility of this tremendous task. They set themselves to the entire duty of carrying the materials and building the gigantic chariot which is as tall as 4 storeyed ordinary building. It is the same people who pull the chariot and throughout the fixed routes of Patan City.

Beside this, those enthusiastic people Jyapus are also a great passionate for music. In Nepal, there is hardly any festival without music. The very popular drum Dhimaya and Bhushya are the main musical instruments for the festival. The glorious beat of Dhimaya,one of the most popular newari percussion and the Bhushya, newari brass drags the attention of the people and signifies that the festival has begun or is going on. The music is such an enthusiastic that it suddenly puts the entire mass into a most enjoyable mood and excitement.

Numerous customs and rituals are the lime light of the festival. Bhoto Jatra is one of the highlight of the festival. This Jatra is all about the diasplay of the sacred vest. It is believed that the Rato Machhendra Nath was entrusted with a jeweled vest after there was a dispute over its ownership. So the vest is displayed three times so that the owner gets a chance to claim it (though this does not happen in real). The head of the state also attends this ceremony. National holiday is declared on this day.

Crowd near the chariot

The Chariot of Machhindranath and the Chariot of Minnath in the background

Gurujyu and Security Personnel on the chariot

Back side of the Chariot

The statue of the Lord Buddha in the Chariot

The statue of the Lord Buddha placed in the back side Chariot

Machhendranath, the Rain-God

the Machhendranath and the Gurujyu

The shrine of the Chariot

The main part of the Chariot with Machhendranath in the centre.

The chariot (from front)

‘Diyo’ to worship the diety

Pilgrims revolving around the chariot

As a part of worship, fire being lighten up just before the chariot

A visitor bowing down to the Wheels of the Chariot

Wheels of the Chariot which are believed to be the Deity, Bhairab

Painting of the chariot of Minnath by Riti Maharjan

A handful of rice offered to the deity

A local person at the top of the chariot preparing for a ritual

People waiting for the ritual to begin

A ritual in which a packet is gradually dropped down from the roof of the chariot

A carpet like material being dropped down from the roof the chariot

People taking part in the ritual

People trying to snatch the packet as the part of the ritual

A person climbing down after the completion of the ritual

A temple nearby the Chariot at Sundhara

A balloon-seller in the fair

Womens offering ‘Tika’

A Newar women preparing to lighten up ‘Diyo’

Sundhara, the golden tap

The Chariot of Minnath

The shrine of the chariot of Minnath

Minnath and Gurujyu

The statue of Minnath

The chariot of Minnath(from front)

A person worshipping the deity

A women worshiping with incense stick

A women bowing down to the chariot

The mask in the front of the chariot and a photographer in the background

The statues of Radha Krishna and Laxminarayan in the background

The ‘Shivalinga’ in the nearby temple at Sundhara

The chariot of Minnath (back side)