Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Preparations Underway for Rato Machhindranath Festival in Nepal

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Residents of Lalitpur, a historic city in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, are busy preparing for one of the country's oldest and most revered festivals - the Rato Machhindranath Festival.

On April 26, locals were seen crafting parts of an elaborate chariot dedicated to Rato Machhindranath, the god of rain and prosperity. The month-long festival, deeply rooted in tradition, is held annually to pray for good monsoon rains and agricultural abundance.

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Artisans and community members are working together to construct the towering wooden chariot, which will carry the deity through the streets of Lalitpur in a grand procession marked by music, rituals, and communal celebration.

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The festival not only holds deep spiritual significance but also showcases Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists each year.

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(Photo by Hari Maharjan)