Editorial photo #11228399 Human Interest
Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession Begins In Nepal
The leader of the chariot procession, dressed in red, is instructing fellow devotees to pull the chariot of Lord Rato Machhindranath, which is set to tour around the city of Lalitpur, Nepal, on May 11, 2024. Known as Nepal's ''Red God,'' Rato Machhindranath is the lord of rain and harvest and is being honored with a 32-foot-tall, towering chariot that will journey through the city over the course of several weeks. The chariot procession, also known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, is the longest festival in Nepal, lasting for months and is largely dependent on astronomical events. The Newar community constructs the 32-foot-tall chariot annually using wooden beams and intricate adjustments to the shrine sanctum, all without using a single nail. It takes the community about a week to build the chariot, which is then given a final touch-up with decorations before Lord Machhindranath is placed in the chariot. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
