Nepal's longest Jatra, Rato Macchindranath Chariot festival begins in Lalitpur

May 10, 2024

Lalitpur (Nepal), May 10 (ANI): Built without using nails or any metallurgies, the 32 feet tall chariot, Nepal's "Red God" or Lord Rato Macchindranath on Thursday ascended the divine carriage as he prepares to tour around the city which spans over a month. Depending vaguely on astronomy, the Macchindranath Chariot festival started with "Aajus" or "Priests" carrying the "Red God" to the chariot and made him seated. The chariot procession of Rato Macchendranath also called as "Bunga Dugh" in Newari meaning the God of Rain and Harvest is longest Jatra in Nepal which runs for months depending widely on astronomy. A 32-foot high chariot of Rato Machhendranath is constructed annually by the Newar community using wooden beams, thumped adjustments to the shrine sanctum without using nails. It takes about a week for the community to build it and is given final touch-up with decorative before the chairing of the lord in the chariot. Observed in the ancient town of Lalitpur, the sky-scrapping chariot goes around the city after 4 days of the ascension of the God. After spending 4 days on the roadside constructed chariot, it is pulled to Ga Bahal and rested for one day, after that it is pulled onto Sundhara and Mangalbazar where it is kept on for one day each.