Thousands Gather for Rato Machhendranath Chariot Puja in Lagankhel

Lalitpur. A large crowd of devotees has gathered in Lagankhel, Lalitpur, to worship Rato Machhendranath. Devotees have been flocking to Lagankhel since early morning for the 'Chariot Puja' which is an important phase of the Rato Machhendranath chariot procession.

Common devotees from various parts of the valley have gathered in Lagankhel with the religious belief that their wishes will be fulfilled by worshipping in the chariot. Rato Machhendranath is worshipped as the god of rain and prosperity. The chariot procession of Machhendranath holds a very high place in the living culture of the Nepal Valley. According to legend, there was a severe drought in Kantipur in ancient times, and the people suffered greatly.

At that time, King Narendra Dev of Bhaktapur and Tantric Bandhudatta of Kantipur brought Machhendranath to Nepal from Kamrup Kamakhya in India. It is believed that with his arrival, there was sufficient rainfall in the Kathmandu Valley and the drought ended. Therefore, his chariot procession is celebrated as a 'festival of rain and prosperity'.

The chariot puja in Lagankhel has its own historical and cultural significance. The puja performed when the chariot reaches here and its traditional relationship with the Char Narayan temple reflect Nepal's ancient culture and religious harmony. This festival is not just a religious ceremony but also a symbol of social unity for the people of Lalitpur. On Monday night, sacrifices of buffaloes, goats, and duck eggs were offered to Rato Machhendranath in Lagankhel.