Editorial photo #11222991 Religion and Belief
Rato Machhindranath Chariot Ascension In Nepal
Nepali devotees are watching the procession before taking Lord Rato Machhindranath from Machhindrabahal in Lalitpur, Nepal, on May 9, 2024. Known as Nepal's ''Red God,'' Rato Machhindranath, the lord of rain and harvest, is being placed on a 32-foot-tall towering chariot, which is set to tour around the city for weeks. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, also known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, is the longest festival in Nepal. It runs for months, depending largely on astronomical calculations. The 32-foot towering chariot of Rato Machhindranath is constructed annually by the Newar community using wooden beams and precise adjustments to the shrine sanctum, all without using a single nail. It takes the community about a week to build, and it is being given a final touch-up with decorations before the deity is placed in the chariot. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
