Editorial photo #11228402 Human Interest
Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession Begins In Nepal
Nepali Hindu and Buddhist devotees are gathering on the road to observe the chariot procession of Lord Rato Machhindranath, the nation's longest-running chariot procession, in Lalitpur, Nepal, on May 11, 2024. Known as Nepal's ''Red God,'' Rato Machhindranath, the lord of rain and harvest, is being honored with a 32-foot-tall sky-scraping chariot that is set to tour around the city for weeks. The chariot procession, also known as ''Bunga Dugh'' in Newari, meaning the God of Rain and Harvest, is the longest Jatra in Nepal and can last for months, depending on astronomical calculations. The 32-foot sky-scraping chariot of Rato Machhendranath 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 lord is placed in the chariot. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)