In the heart of Patan, where history whispers from every carved wooden window, a colossal chariot stands tall—a towering wooden structure, held together by nothing more than ancient tradition and unwavering faith. This is Rato Machindranath Jatra, a festival that weaves together legend and longing, Buddhism and Hinduism, gods and mortals. As the chariot lumbers through the narrow streets, pulled by hundreds of fervent hands, the city transforms. Crowds surge forward, offerings are made, and the past comes alive in the clatter of wooden wheels on stone pathways. The origins of this grand procession are steeped in legend. A long-forgotten drought had parched the valley, and only the arrival of Bunga Dyah (Rato Machindranath) could summon the rains. And so, every year, the people of Lalitpur pull his chariot through the city, echoing the journey that once brought salvation. The festival climaxes at Jawalakhel, where the enigmatic Bhoto Jatra takes place—a moment as mysterious as it is time-honoured, when a sacred vest is displayed to the crowd, its significance debated but never quite revealed. Nepal’s festivals are more than mere dates on a calendar. They are living traditions, deeply embedded in the rhythm of everyday life. Here, devotion spills onto the streets, faith is a tangible force, and the past is never too distant. To witness these celebrations is to step into a world where myth and reality move hand in hand, where gods still walk among men, and where every festival is a promise—of rain, of renewal, of something greater than oneself.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, proceed for the tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: It was founded between 1069 – 1083 AD. The complex of palaces, courtyards and temples were built between 1200 to 1768 A.D. and once used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. The main attractions are Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kashtamandap Temple, Kumari Temple (Living Goddess) etc.
Swoyambhunath Stupa: It is a Buddhist stupa which stands at the top of a green hillock west of Kathmandu. It is believed to be over 2000 years old and was the point where Manjushree discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake. The main attractions are big Stupa, 365 steps, Pratapur and Anantapur Temples, Manjushree Temple along with numerous small chhortens.
Pashupatinath Temple: The Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is one of the sacred Hindu temple complexes located on the banks of the Bagmati River. It is not known when the Pashupatinath Temple was built. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of all Pashus (Animal), who are living and non-living beings. The existence of the Pashupatinath Temple dates back to 400 BC. C., the richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or the sacred symbol of Lord Shiva. There are many legends describing how the
Pashupatinath temple arose here.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, visit Patan Durbar Square and observe Rato Macchindranath Jatra (Chariot Festival)
Patan Durbar Square: The Patan city is believed to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. Most of the monuments were built between 12th to 18th centuries by Malla Kings. It is known as the center of fine arts and superb craftsmanship of its artisans. The main attractions are the old Royal Palace, Krishna Temple, Taleju Temple, Bhimsen Temple, Golden Temple (Hiranyavarna Mahabihar) etc.
RATO MACCHINDRANATH JATRA (CHARIOT FESTIVAL)
Rato Machindranath Jatra which is also known as Bunga Dyah Jatra is a chariot procession honouring the Vajrayani Buddhism deity of compassion Avalokiteśvara and as an incarnation of shiva for hindu people which is held in Lalitpur, Nepal. It is one of the greatest religious events in the city and the longest chariot festival celebrated in Kathmandu valley.
Buṅga Dyaḥ is also known as Raktalokitesvara Karunamaya and Rāto Machhindranāth and is revered as the giver of rain. The name Rato Machhendranath means Red Machhendranath in a reference to the color of the deity's image. The chariot festival is held according to the lunar calendar, so the date is changeable. It begins on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bachhalā, the seventh month in the lunar Nepal Sambat calendar.
The chariot procession was instituted to celebrate the arrival of Bunga Dyah in Nepal and the end of a devastating drought. It was started during the reign of King Narendra Deva (640-683 AD).
Preparations for the festival begin with the construction of a 60-foot tall chariot at Pulchok at the western end of Lalitpur. When the chariot is complete, the image of Bunga Dyah from his temple is installed in it. Revelers then drag the chariot through the streets of Lalitpur on a tour that lasts a month. The chariot of Bunga Dyah is accompanied on the journey by a similar but smaller chariot of Chākuwā Dyah.
The route of the chariot procession starts at Pulchok and passes through Gabahal, Mangal Bazar, Hakha, Sundhara, Chakrabahil, Lagankhel and ends at Jawalakhel. As per time-honored tradition, the chariot is pulled exclusively by women on the stretch between the localities of Iti and Thati. This part of the chariot procession is known as Yākah Misāyā Bhujyā. The parade finishes at the open ground of Jawalakhel which is situated at the western side of Lalitpur. There, the festivities conclude with the ceremony of Bhoto Jatra, the display of the bhoto, a traditional Nepalese vest.
There is a legendary story behind celebrating this festival. In the past, for 12 years, there was no rainfall, and all the river dried off. To find out the solution to this problem, the King of Bhaktapur kingdom at that time went to Swayambhu to meet Tantrik. Then, the Tantrik said that Guru Gorakhnath was angry, so he was meditating on the cushion of 9 mighty serpents whose duty was the prime reason of rainfall in the valley. Until and unless the serpents would be free, rainfall wouldn't happen in the valley. It was possible only when his teacher Rato Machhindranath visited him.
So the king started searching for his teacher. After some time, they found out that Machhindranath was reborn as the 108th son of King Sashi in Assam. Then the king of Bhaktapur, Tantrik from Kathmandu, and a Newar from Lalitpur went to Assam to bring Machhindranath back. They knew that it wouldn’t be easy to get him back because he was the son of Daitya. They tried a lot of techniques but they were not successful in bringing him back.
Then the Tantrik called 4 Bhairab and asked them to bring him back. Bhairab brought him back to Guru Gorakhnath. When he saw his teacher, he stood up quietly. Finally, the serpents were free then the rain started raining on the valley. But the king, Tantrik and Newar couldn't decide how district Machhindranath should be kept. Then they went to Lalitpur King to find the solution. The Lalitpur King was very clever as he chose to keep Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur with trick. From that day, every year, people celebrate this festival in Lalitpur and pray for good rainfall.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: It is an ancient capital of Kathmandu valley and was founded by King Yakshya Malla in 14th century. It was the trade route to Tibet. It is considered as a museum of medieval art and architecture with many examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples. The main attractions are Royal Palace (fifty-five windowed), Golden Gate, Nyatapola Temple, statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Dattatraya Temple, Bhairabnath Temple, Peacock Window etc.
Boudhanath Stupa : It was built by King Lichchhavi Mana Dev in the 5th century AD. C. Boudhanath is also called Khasti Chaitya in Kathmandu. The huge mandala of the stupa makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal with lots of positive energy. From its whitewashed dome to its gilded tower painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, the monument is perfectly proportioned. Pilgrims do koras (circumambulations) in the morning and in the afternoon in search of luck, peace and prosperity for all beings that live in this world.
Overnight at hotel.
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