Spardha Chand
Kathmandu, May 27 :Nepal, as we all know is in rich in its cultural heritage. Almost every month it has at least one festival to be celebrated and we are proud that we have got celebrations every month. May that be Dashain or Chaite Dashain, it is celebrated well over. Among those all, one festival which is not to be missed is the Rato Machchhindranath’s chariot festival followed ho Bhote Jatra.
This festival takes place in Patan and as about a month long. Buddhist rain god, Rato Machchhnidranath is worshiped in this festival. The statue is placed in a tall chariot made by the traditional way using mostly log of woods. During the celebrations the towering chariot of lord Machchhnidranath is pulled by ropes through the narrow streets of city followed by a large crowed of worshipers. In front of the chariot, a small crowed of musicians and soldiers add even more excitement to the festival.
Over the period of several weeks, the chariot is slowly hauled to Jawalakhel where tens of thousands of devotees burn oil lamps and keep an all-night-vigil. To end up the long est, the “Bhoto” a sacred waistcoat, itself the subject of many legend is displayed from the chariot as all the onlookers strain to catch a glimpse of the lucky sight. A final ritual is then conducted to mark lord Machchhnidranath’s departure for one year.
This festival has one famous legend attached to it that once in the ancient times there was no rain in this valley. The king was worried and with different means he happened to know that all the serpents have to been used to make a seat by a powerful priest named Gorakhnath. He would not let the snakes go at any cost. To find a solution the king then brought Lord Machchhnidranath from India. Upon seeing Machchhnidranath, he soon stood up to pay homage to the lord who was his teacher as well. Then at the same time all the snakes were freed and there was rain in the valley. Since then every year the chariot is pulled around the city of Lalitpur.
This festival has been a reputed part of the religion over the past centuries. Also this feast stands as the symbol of unity that hundreds and thousands of people still gather together to pull the chariot. It surely is an example of unity. Moreover, once during the celebration, the chariot is pulled by all women power, which is another exciting part of the pull. Even in this today’s life where people are to busy with their works, they still manage to get their hands in the rope at least once during the whole month. This symbol of unity has been keeping the citizens together and in the future as well the glorious trend should go on and on.
