Nepal's 'Red God' chariot festival begins with traditional rituals

Lalitpur (Nepal), May 02 (ANI): The Rato Macchindranath chariot festival, one of Nepal’s most important religious events, began on Thursday in Patan, Lalitpur, with the long chariot procession moving through crowds of worshippers. The festival, which honours the God of Rain and Harvest, features a 42-foot-tall chariot carrying the deity through the streets, accompanied by traditional music and rituals. The festival is deeply rooted in Nepalese culture and folklore. According to legend, the chariot procession was started in 897 AD to commemorate Lord Macchendranath's feat of bringing rain to the city of Patan after a severe drought. The festival celebrates the deity's power to bring prosperity and rainfall to the region. The chariot is constructed annually by the Newa community using wooden beams and traditional craftsmanship, without using a single nail. The procession runs for over a month and is led by troupes of musical performers and features traditional rituals and ceremonies. According to the lunar calendar, the longest chariot festival of Nepal begins on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bachhala, the seventh month in the lunar Nepal Sambat calendar. Still, this year it didn't fall as per the set-out rule. The Rato Macchindranath festival is integral to Nepal's cultural heritage, showcasing the country's rich traditions and customs. The 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the festival, but it has now resumed, bringing vibrancy and cheer to the people of Patan.