Rato Macchendranath
Rato Macchendranath, popularly known as Bungadeo, is the Patan prototype of Kathmandu's Seto Macchendranath. During the summer months, the idol lives in Bungamati, two kilometers south of Patan, and the rest of the year in Patan's Tahbahal. Rato Machendranath is the chief deity for all Newar Jyapus (farmers) in the valley. Historical records refer to the chariot festival as early as the ninth century, making it the oldest festival of the valley. In a manner similar to the chariot festival of Seto Macchendranath in Kathmandu, the Rato Macchendranath chariot is pulled through Patan's four localities: Gabahal, Sundhara, Lagankhel and Jawalakhel. With each stop residents celebrate and make offerings of burning oil lamps. In some places, an individual representing the area lies down with burning oil lamps placed over his body to gain merit for his locality.
Macchendranath, who was born a prince in Assam, had a younger brother, Gorakhnath, born from cow dung, who came to Nepal as yogi begging for alms, but he found no donors. Distressed, he tied the rain giving nagas (serpent gods) together, causing a terrible drought. Only Macchendranath could free the serpent gods. A tantric priest from Kathmandu and a porter from Patan were sent to summon the god, who came to Nepal as a bee and was trapped in a vase in Bungamati. After arguments between the king and the porter about where the god should live, it was decided that he would spend time in each place. Hence Rao Macchendranath's two homes. Gorakhnath was persuaded to free the snake gods, yielding the necessary rain for the valley rice to grow. To this day, Macchendranath is revered as the compassionate one and is propitiated to bring the monsoon rains. Before Rato Macchendranath leaves Patan for Bungamati, the President of Nepal as well as the Patan Kumari (Living Goddess come to pay their respects. When Nepal was still Kingdom, King of Nepal would pay the respect to Rato Macchendranath.
Read MoreMacchendranath, who was born a prince in Assam, had a younger brother, Gorakhnath, born from cow dung, who came to Nepal as yogi begging for alms, but he found no donors. Distressed, he tied the rain giving nagas (serpent gods) together, causing a terrible drought. Only Macchendranath could free the serpent gods. A tantric priest from Kathmandu and a porter from Patan were sent to summon the god, who came to Nepal as a bee and was trapped in a vase in Bungamati. After arguments between the king and the porter about where the god should live, it was decided that he would spend time in each place. Hence Rao Macchendranath's two homes. Gorakhnath was persuaded to free the snake gods, yielding the necessary rain for the valley rice to grow. To this day, Macchendranath is revered as the compassionate one and is propitiated to bring the monsoon rains. Before Rato Macchendranath leaves Patan for Bungamati, the President of Nepal as well as the Patan Kumari (Living Goddess come to pay their respects. When Nepal was still Kingdom, King of Nepal would pay the respect to Rato Macchendranath.
