RATO
MACHINDRANATH:
THE CHARIOT FESTIVAL
GROUP – 1
ROBIN PANDEY
ANUBHAV THAPA
BIJAY KUMAR YADAV
AADITYA RAMAN SINGH
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
❖Introduction
❖Myth of Rato machindranath
❖The rath
❖The route
❖Minnath
❖Associated temples
❖Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
❖ Rato Machindranath is one of the most extraordinary religious events of the Newar community in
the Kathmandu valley.
❖ It is one of the longest chariot festivals celebrated in Nepal.
❖ In the Newari language, it is called Bunga Dyah Jatra.
❖ This festival is held in Lalitpur, Nepal.
❖ Running over the span of weeks depending vaguely on astrology, the Rato Machhindranath
chariot festival starts from late April to early May.
❖ It is celebrated at the beginning of the monsoon to appease the rain and grain, to God Rato
Machindranath.
MYTH OF RATO MACHINDRANATH
THE CHARIOT
❖ A 60 feet tall chariot built in shikhara style.
❖ Has image of god inside.
❖ Materials: bamboo, wood (saur), and ropes like dry cane
❖ and vines
❖ Consists a deck carried by four wheels and a yoke in front
❖ Yoke - Karkat naag
❖ Fours wheels and its painted eyes – Bhairabs
❖ Three directions of chariot’s deck - brahma, vishnu and
shiva
MAKING OF THE CHARIOT
❖ The making of chariot takes place in pulchowk
❖ It is rebuilt from scratch every 12 years
❖ Barahi
❖ assembles the wooden parts of chariot scouring forest for special type of timber, saur,
❖ adds dhomber, long wooden trunk
❖ Yewals
❖ master vinesman, helps to construct chariot by weaving rope and rattan to secure
wooden structure
Vinesman weaving rope. Wooden trunk tied with the help of rope.
THE ROUTE: THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL
❖ DAY-1: Pulchowk Damkal to Gabhal
❖ DAY-2: Gabhal to Sundhara PULCHOWK
❖ DAY-3: Sundhara to Chuka Bahal via
Mahaboudha Temple
❖ DAY-4: Chuka Bahal to Lagenkhel
❖ Coconut dropping festival GAHA BAHAL
❖ Chariot is pulled by women one
day
❖ DAY-5: Lagankhel to Jawalakhel
❖ Bhoto jatra
❖ Dissasembly
JAWALAKHEL
CHUKA BAHAL
N SUNDHARA
LAGANKHEL
BHOTO JATRA
❖ Marks the end of the month-long festival,
❖ When the chariots reach Jawalakhel, astrologers choose an
auspicious date to hold the jatra,
❖ The bhoto is put on display by the head of state (president) by
climbing the chariot,
❖ After festival, the chariot is dismantled and parts are stored
MINNATH
❖ Son/Daughter/Brother/Friend of Rato Macchindranath
(according to some stories)
❖ It is believed that around 356 BS, Yamaraj appeared in the dream
of king Anshuverma, a Licchavi king of the Surya dynasty, and told the
king to make his idol and install it.
❖ Initially there were 7 different raths for different deities. Since it was
hard to construct all the raths, all the deities were supposed to be
kept in a single chariot. But Minnath in anger hit a chaitya and tried
destroying it. Since then, a separate chariot for Minnath was made.
ASSOCIATED TEMPLES
❖ Only deity of the Valley to have two temples, signifying its importance
❖ One in Patan and another one in Bungmati, each with equal importance
❖ The main deity resides for 5-6 months in both of the temples
Temple at Patan Temple at Bungmati
CONCLUSION
Relation to society and architecture
❖ Agricultural festival
❖ Religious harmony
❖ Construction and development of
structures related to the festival
❖ Unique representation of Nepali culture
❖ Harmony between states in earlier days
❖ Relation with nature
REFERENCES
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THANK YOU!
