Rato Machhindranath chariot procession begins today

Kathmandu / May 8: The procession of Rato Machhindranath chariot begins today in Lalitpur. It will move from Pulchok where the chariot has been built and is currently located, and will reach Gabahal near Magalbazaar today.

Rato Machhindranath is worshipped as the God of Rain and Harvest. Both Hindus and Buddhists pay their homage to the deity.

The deity’s chariot is pulled every year and taken around various places of Lalitpur attracting a huge crowd of worshippers and onlookers.

It is believed that Rato Machhindranath, also known as Karunamaya, was brought to Kathmandu Valley from Kamaru Kamakshya in Assam of India when there was no rain in the valley for a long time.

The festival is observed just before the onset of monsoon. It is believed that worshipping the deity brings rain in the first few days of the festival.

The chariot procession that begins from Pulchok moves through Natole, Gabahal, Mangal Bazaar, Patan Sundhara, Lagankhel, Kumaripati before reaching Jawalakhel.