Rato Machhendranath Festival in Patan, photo 1960

The chariot procession known as Rato (red) Machhendranath is the biggest event in Patan. The festival honors Machhendranath, the god of rain and plenty, who has shrines at both Patan and in the village of Bungamati, a few miles south of Patan. The festival, held when the monsoon season is approaching, is a plea for plentiful rain.
After the festival, the chariot is dismantled and Rato Macchindranath is taken to the
Machhindranath-Mandir in Bungamati