If you are looking for a living culture, Rato Machhindranath Jatra tops the list. Rato Machhindranath Jatra is the greatest and longest festival celebrated in the city of Patan. Locally known as Bungadyah in Newari parlance, Rato Machhindranath is worshipped as the deity of rain. This festival of chariot procession was started by King Narendra Dev in 660 AD. Putting an end to the severe drought, this festival was started to celebrate the arrival of the deity of rain Bungadyah.
The festival is celebrated every year based on the Nepal Sambat calendar. The preparation for the festival takes place every year at Jogambar Pith which is situated at Pulchowk. However, every 12 years the chariot is constructed at Bungmati to celebrate “Baara Barsa Jatra”.
Construction of the Chariot
A 60-feet tall chariot is constructed for the festival. In local measurement, it is said to be 32 arm length and each arm length is for one god. The legend has that there are 32 gods and goddesses in the chariot of Rato Machhindranath. Upon the completion of the Chariot, the image of Rato Machhindranath is installed and the festival begins. The chariot is dragged through the streets of Patan which lasts for a month. The route of the procession involves Pulchowk, Gabahal, Mangalbazar, Haka, Sundhara, Chakrabahal, Lagankhel and ends at Jawalakhel with Bhoto Jatra.
The festival is well planned in advance and there is perfect division of tasks. There are four different sects of Newar Society in Patan who are involved in the procession.
- Barahi: Construction of Chariot
- Ngyawa: Rope work made using a special type of tree.
- Ghakule: Maneuvering the Chariot during procession
- Gathamba: Installing the Wheel in the Chariot. The wheels of the Chariot are called Bhairav.
The beauty of Rato Machhindranath Jatra is that the myths come to life. The chariot preparation process is like an Open Museum. This year’s Rato Machhindranath Jatra is still due because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chariot has already been constructed in Pulchowk. It’s expected to be resumed as soon as the pandemic eases in the near future.
