Book on Rato Machhindranath published

Kathmandu, Feb 14: With the compilation of the historical facts on the beginning of country’s longest and popular festival Rato Machhindranath chariot, a new book Shree Karunamaya (Bungdyoya) Bankha has been published in the Devanagari script.

Professor Shantaharsha Bajracharya released the book amid an event here Saturday.

The first of its kind in the Devanagari script, the book was translated into Nepali by Buddhist scholar Jyotiratna Shakya. The book was written 102 years ago in the Nepal Bhasa by Buddhist scholar Buddharatna Shakya based on different Buddhist scripts and was published from Calcutta of India for lack of printing press in Nepal during that period.

Though it is believed that Rato Machhindranath chariot was started from Kaligat Sambat 3676, the Buddhist scholars based on historical facts state that the chariot was started 1,400 years ago.

During programme, archaeologist Dr Saphalya Amatya said that the book is useful for readers and researchers.

Likewise, Chief of Central Department of Nepal Bhasa at the Tribhuvan University Tulsilal Singh said that the book has helped to disseminate the historical facts on the chariot to the common folks. RSS