Nepal's "Red God" Rato Machindranath Idol Gets Painted With Arrival Of Chariot Procession

A Nepali devotee paints the idol of Rato Machindranath at Machindra Bahal in Lalipur, Nepal, on April 23, 2025. Regarded as the red god, the chariot procession of Rato Machindranath always starts by the end of April or early May. According to the lunar calendar, the longest chariot festival of Nepal begins on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bachhala, the seventh month in the lunar Nepal Sambat calendar, but this year it does not fall as per the set-out rule. One popular legend states that once Guru Gorakhnath comes to the city of Patan and is not acknowledged by the people living there. As the commoners do not offer him food and ignore him, Guru Gorakhnath captures all the serpents and holds them captive under his seat. Because the ''Naags'' or serpents responsible for precipitation are held captive by Guru Gorakhnath, Patan experiences a drought, which drives a famine in the city. Advisors of the then king of Patan, Narendra Dev, are asked to bring the teacher of Gorakhnath, Lord Machindranath, from Assam. Hearing about the teacher's presence in the town, Guru Gorakhnath stands up from his seat, letting the serpents loose, which brings rain to the city, ending the drought. Adoring Rato Machindranath for his feat, locals of Patan start a chariot procession in the city in 897 AD, which is held annually and taken around the city, reminding people about his deeds. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

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