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Folklores & Festivals

Every temple’s deity in Bungamati has a folktale attached and each festival an interesting story behind it. Be it the folktale of flying horse or the famous Red Machhendranath, the stories have been handed down through the ages. Everyone has their own version making it more fascinating and interesting.
 

Valley gets its rain back

There was a famine in the valley as it didn’t rain for twelve years. The reason was that the displeased Yogi Gorakhnath binds the nine serpents who provided the rain for the country and sits down upon them in meditation at Mrigasthali above Pashupatinath. Astrologers and priests advise the King Narendra Dev to bring Karunamaya (Machhendranath) from Kamuni (current Assam of India). The King along with Bandhudatta Bajracharya(a learned Buddhist preist) and Ratna Chakra a Jyapu(a farmer) of Patan sets on a arduous journey to bring Machhendranath to Kathmandu valley. The four Bhairavas are also summoned who carry the Karunamaya to the valley. Gorakhnath at Mrigasthali hears the arrival of his guru and rises from his seat to go and greet him. With this the nagas are released and rain falls once again. Narendra Dev then decides to inaugurate an annual chariot festival for Red Machhendranath.
 

Rato Machhendranath Festival

This month long vibrant and fascinating festival usually begins some time in April as per the lunar calendar. A huge 40ft. high chariot is constructed and the idol of Red Machhendranath is placed in it. An elaborate rituals are performed before the chariot is pulled through the specific routes in Patan. Thousands of devotees gather around the chariot to witness it and worship the deity. Every 12th year the chariot festival starts from Bungamati. For the residents of the valley, this is the longest and one of the most important social and religious events of the year. On the last day of the chariot festival, head of the state also comes to witness the event. Often referred as Bhoto Jatra, this festival is one of the oldest, uninterrupted festivals upheld by the people of the valley.