RATO

MACHINDRANATH:
THE CHARIOT FESTIVAL

GROUP – 1
ROBIN PANDEY
ANUBHAV THAPA
BIJAY KUMAR YADAV
AADITYA RAMAN SINGH

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 PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

❖Introduction
❖Myth of Rato machindranath
❖The rath
❖The route
❖Relation with society and architecture
❖Associated temples
❖Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

❖ Rato Machindranath is one of the most extraordinary religious events of the Newar community in the Kathmandu valley.
❖ It is one of the longest chariot festivals celebrated in Nepal.
❖ In the Newari language, it is called Bunga Dyah Jatra.
❖ This festival is held in Lalitpur, Nepal.
❖ Running over the span of weeks depending vaguely on astrology, the Rato Machhindranath chariot festival starts from
late April to early May.

❖ It is celebrated at the beginning of the monsoon to appease the rain and grain, to God Rato Machindranath.
 MYTH OF RATO MACHINDRANATH

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 THE CHARIOT
❖ A 60 feet tall chariot built in shikhara style.
❖ Has image of god inside.
❖ Materials: bamboo, wood (saur), and ropes like dry cane
❖ and vines
❖ Consists a deck carried by four wheels and a yoke in front
❖ Yoke - Karkat naag

❖ Fours wheels and its painted eyes – Bhairabs

❖ Three directions of chariot’s deck - brahma, vishnu and

shiva

❖ Smaller rath of minnath - 32 feet tall

 MAKING OF THE CHARIOT
❖ The making of chariot takes place in pulchowk

❖ It is rebuilt from scratch every 12 years

❖ Barahi
❖ assembles the wooden parts of chariot scouring forest for special type of timber, saur,

❖ adds dhomber, long wooden trunk

❖ Yewals - master vinesman, helps to construct chariot by weaving rope

and rattan to secure wooden structure

Vinesman weaving rope. Wooden trunk tied with the help of rope.
 THE ROUTE: THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL
❖ DAY-1: Pulchowk Damkal to Gabhal
❖ DAY-2: Gabhal to Sundhara
❖ DAY-3: Sundhara to Chuka Bahal via
Mahaboudha Temple
❖ DAY-4: Chuka Bahal to Lagenkhel
❖ Coconut dropping festival
❖ Chariot is pulled by women one
day
❖ DAY-5: Lagankhel to Jawalakhel
❖ Bhoto jatra
❖ Dissasembly

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 ASSOCIATED TEMPLES
❖ Only deity of the Valley to have two temples, signifying its importance
❖ One in Patan and another one in Bungmati, each with equal importance
❖ The main deity resides for 5-6 months in both of the temples

Temple at Patan Temple at Bungmati

 BHOTO JATRA

❖ Marks the end of the month-long festival,

❖ When the chariots reach Jawalakhel, astrologers choose an
auspicious date to hold the jatra,
❖ The bhoto is put on display by the head of state (president) by
climbing the chariot,
❖ After festival, the chariot is dismantled and parts are stored
 Conclusion
- Unique representation of nepali culture
- Harmony between states in earlier days
- Unity in diversity
- Relation with nature
- Proper awareness with enjoyment
- Improvement in architectural structures