Rato Machhendranath Jatra is one of the chariot festivals of Nepal. There is a belief that Rato Machhendranath is a god of rain. In Nepal both Buddhist and Hindus worship the deity, Rato Machhendranath which hindu regards of him as the reincarnation of Lord Shiva where Buddhist regards as Tantric reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara and its temple sits at southern part of Patan Durbar Square. This festival begins on the full moon day of Nepali month Baisakh, which is the first month in Nepali calendar and falls in the last week of April. The chariot pulling, dropping of the coconut, exhibition of the vest, all add to this festival. Every year attracting a huge gathering of onlookers, the deity’s charity is pulled. This is the longest as well as the most important festival of Patan city, neighbor of Kathmandu city. It begins with several days of ceremonies and the fabrication of a wooden-wheeled chariot at Pulchowk, near the Ashoka Stupa. The procession of Living Goddess Kumari of Patan is also held throughout the city.

Rato Machhendranath is the Red one of the two Machendranath Gods (White and Red) of the Newars. He is the god of weather, protection and good crops for the Kathmandu valley. The deity’s chariot is pulled by devotees through the major localities of Lalitpur for about two months. Bhote Jatra at Jawlakhel marks as end of this festival journey.

Do: Visit Patan Durbar square and you may as well take part in the whole musical procession.