LALITPUR: The sacred ritual bath of Rato Machindranath, the revered deity of rain and seasons, and Minnath has been completed, marking the formal commencement of preparations for the Rato Machindranath Jatra.
The Mahasnan was performed at Lagankhel with special Tantric rituals, signifying the beginning of the traditional chariot construction.
Following the ritual, the wheels used to build the chariot were brought from Jawalakhel to Pulchowk. The towering chariot, which reaches a height of around 48 feet, is constructed entirely from wood without the use of nails or metal fasteners.
The front part of the chariot, known as the Dhama, represents the serpent deity Karkotak and is crucial to the chariot’s balance and stability.
The Rato Machindranath Jatra is the longest-running chariot festival in Nepal. The massive wooden chariot is pulled through the streets of Lalitpur over several weeks. The festival concludes with the Bhoto Jatra, a major cultural event held at Jawalakhel, during which the sacred Bhoto (vest) is displayed to the public.
The Jatra is one of the oldest and most significant festivals in the Kathmandu Valley, celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists.
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