Chariot procession begins for 12 year Rato Machhindranath fair

Lalitpur: The chariot procession of the Rato Machhindranath festival that is observed once in 12 years kicked off on Wednesday at Bungamati in Lalitpur.

Rato Machhindranath is worshipped as the god rain and good harvest by both Hindus and Buddhists. The festival is known as Barha Barshe Rath Yatra (chariot procession that comes in 12 years).

The chariot ride kicked off from Bungamati, not from usual place Pulchowk, as the festival is not regular one as it comes in every 12 years, said Guti Sansthan Lalitpur Chief Rudranath Adhikari.

The pulling of chariot started at 3 pm on Wednesday with a priest offering special puja as per established tradition. Around 3,000 people including locals, revelers and those involved in constructing the chariot joined the chariot ride.

source: the kathmandu post,22 April 2015