The Rato Machindranath chariot festival is starting this evening. On the first day, the chariot will be pulled from Pulchowk to Patan Ga:bahal with traditional music and cultural performances. The chariot of Minnath, made in Tangal, will also be pulled to Ga:bahal.
The procession will feature traditional instruments like Indra Baja, the Guruju Platoon, Dhime drums, and Naykhin.
On Monday, the idol of Rato Machindranath was placed on the chariot in preparation for the journey.
At the end of the festival, after the famous Bhoto Jatra, the Machhindranath idol will be carried on a small palanquin to the temple in Bungamati. The chariot of Minnath will be returned to Chakrabahi in Tangal, marking the end of the festival that began from Pulchowk.
Machhindranath is worshipped in different forms by different communities—Vishnu by Vaishnavs, Shiva by Shaivites, Shakti by Shaktas, the Sun by Sauryas, Lokeshwar by Brahmins, and Karunamaya by Buddhists.
