The newly built Rato Macchendranath Chariot's Wheels parked at Gachen Tole for initiation. The four wheels of the chariot symbolize the four Bhairavas: Harisidhi, Luptasanhara, Tikabhairava, and Nandikunda. Photo by Sunil Sharma

Made entirely out of wood and with no nails, the brand-new wheels of the Rato Macchendranath Chariot.

The members of the Barahi community come together to build gigantic wheels of Rato Macchendranath chariot from scratch every 12 years. The Barahis are a community of Newar carpenters, as a part of their tradition and responsibilities search for, scour, carve, and assemble the wooden elements/parts of the Rato Macchendranath chariot. The chariot-making skills are passed down through the generations and many of these carpenters have been dedicating their skills and devotion for 50 years.

The festival falls on April/May depending upon the Tithi (a time duration between the consecutive epochs that correspond to the moon phases), therefore they begin their work as early as December, scouring forests for specific types of timber for different parts of the chariot.

The wood used for the wheels is a rarest type of wood, Suar (Sci. Samanea Saman), and also for the dhombar — a long wooden trunk in front of the chariot upon which the charioteer stands and leads the procession.

Collaborating with the Barahis are the Yewals, the vinesmen who help to construct the chariot by weaving rope and rattan to secure the entire wooden structure.

These devoted chariot makers are not provided with any form of insurance. However, they still turn up every year to meticulously build and repair the chariot and wheels to preserve their culture.

Simultaneously 10 days before the festival the statue of Rato Macchendranath is refurbished in preparation for the festival of Rain god himself. The deity undergoes ten ritual ceremonies and it is recolored. He is then carried back to his temple in the dark of night to await his installation in a splendid Rath (Chariot) waiting in the Pulchowk area of Patan. These ceremonies take place on the first day of Bachhalā Gā, the bright lunar fortnight in April/May.

Rato Macchendranath Festival in Photos