Rato Machhindranath Chariot Wheels Destroyed Amid Crackdown on Gen Z Protest

Kathmandu – The centuries-old tradition of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra has suffered an unexpected and heartbreaking blow. The newly crafted wheels of the sacred chariot, stored in Patan, have been destroyed in the aftermath of the deadly crackdown that followed the Gen Z protest on September 8.

The Rato Machhindranath Jatra, one of the Valley’s most revered festivals, is celebrated over several weeks each year, with its grand procession taking place in Baisakh (April-May). Deeply rooted in the Newar community, the festival symbolizes gratitude for rainfall and agricultural prosperity, while fostering unity and cultural pride through its elaborate rituals and celebrations.

The damage to the chariot wheels has cast a shadow over this living heritage. According to custom, new wheels are built every twelve years. However, the last set, made only last year with the support of Guthi Sansthan, had replaced the older wheels prematurely after just eight years of service, as they had become too worn to function.

Speaking with a heavy heart, Dil Bahadur Barahi, head of the wheel-making Guthi, confirmed the grim reality saying that the wheels are completely burned, with no chances of repair. There is no option but to make a new set.

The destruction has not only erased a painstaking year of traditional craftsmanship but has also dealt a symbolic blow to one of Nepal’s oldest cultural legacies. The Guthi Sansthan has already been informed of the circumstances, but the loss underscores a painful truth: a revered tradition, cherished for generations, has been made to suffer collateral damage from events far removed from its sacred purpose.