Lalitpur Comes Alive: Rato Machhindranath Jatra Begins with Grand Chariot Pull

Lalitpur- The Rato Machhindranath Chariot Festival, revered as a celebration of the rain and harvest deity, began on Tuesday in Lalitpur. On the first day, the chariot was pulled from Pulchowk to Gabahal after a ceremonial salute by the Guruju’s platoon.

The two-month-long festival, considered the longest and one of the most significant in the Kathmandu Valley, will conclude in Jawalakhel with the traditional “Bhoto Jatra.” Devotees from both Hindu and Buddhist communities worship Machhindranath as Karunamaya and Padmapani.

According to legend, the festival was initiated by King Narendradeva to end a devastating 12-year drought.