Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra

The main reason to celebrate a chariot festival in Nepal is to show respect to the rain god, Machhendranath. Because Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra festival is celebrated just before the monsoon season starts. It is belief that the city will get plenty rainfall for good growth of crops. Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra festival is celebrated for the peace and prosperity of the countrymen of Nepal.

Rato Machhendranath Jatra festival held in late April. This Chariot Festival of Nepal is one of the major festivals of Patan, Nepal. Rato Machhendranath Jatra festival is similar to the Seto Machhendranath Rath Jatra festival held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Every twelfth year the chariot of Rato Machhendranath Rath Jatra itself has to be taken to Bungamati. Road may be very hilly and far from smooth. Each year the deity Machhendranath spends three months in Bungamati but in these intervening years, it is carried there on a palanquin.