Macchindranāth (or Bunga Dyah in Newari) is a god of rain worshiped by both Hindus and Buddhists in
Nepal. Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Shiva while Buddhists regard him as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara.
Rato Matsyendranatha of Patan, Nepal Hyangu (red) Macchindranath temple also known as Temple of Bunga: Dyaa: as it resides in Bungamati and also in
Patan, also known as the Rato Macchindranath Temple, is one of the oldest Matsyendranatha temples, dating back from the 16th century. It lies in the southern part of the Patan Durbar Square. Each of the four well-crafted wooden doors of this temple is guarded by two lion figures while the four corners of the temple are guarded by
khyah, a
yeti-like figure.
Bhoto Jatra (भोटो जात्रा)/ Chariot Festival An important event connected with the deity is the annual chariot procession known as Bunga Dyah Jatra or Rato Macchindranath Jatra. Each year, the locals of
Patan, Lalitpur celebrate the festival in order to show respect to the rain god. This festival is one of the oldest and the longest festival celebrated in Patan and is celebrated in April–May. It is celebrated just before the monsoon season starts so that the city will get plenty rainfall for good growth of crops. During the procession, the image of Bunga Dyah is placed on a tall chariot about 65 feet high and pulled in stages through the streets of Patan for a month. Before the chariot festival starts, the ritual of Mahasnana is conducted in an auspicious hour as indicated by the astrologers, about 15 days before the chariot festival. The deity is taken to a platform at Lagankhel which is about 200 meters away from the temple of Machindranath at Ta: bahal Lalitpur. There in front of a crowd, the god is given a bath with the
sacred water mixture of honey, milk, and water fetched by the panejus (priests) in the four silver kalasa (vessel). The four priests then pour the sacred water (jal) from four directions in the platform to the deity and it is believed that from whichever direction 1st the jal touches the deity from the same direction monsoon will start or first rain will be granted. After the mahasnana, the repairs are done to the idol of the deity if required and the new face is painted. After the face painting is over various ritual are performed to the deity-like Bareychukegu; Ihi; Bara tyegu as done to a human and at the end Dashakarma vidhi is performed. While these all are going to the temple premises, the chariot or ratha is made at Pulchowk by the Barahi and Yawal clans, amongst which one only does the rope work and other only the woodwork. In the construction of the chariot, no nails are used to connect the joints of the huge chariot but are only tied with ropes and veds. The only part that uses an iron to hold are the four wheels. After the construction is finished the deity is ascended in the divine vehicle i.e. 3 days before the pulling of the chariot. The route of the chariot procession starts at Pulchwok and passes through Gabahal, Sundhara, Lagankhel and ends at
Jawalakhel. Previously the festival was called the festival of three states viz. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur as the deity was brought by the alliance of these three states. So, previously the 1st day of the festival was to be carried on by people of Kathmandu then by Bhaktapur and then 3rd by Lalitpur, and on last day all three sister cities come together for Jawalakhel Jatra with other nearby city people from Kirtipur and others from the valley. After the festival, the chariot is dismantled and Rato Macchindranath is taken to a temple in the nearby village of
Bungamati, which is the first home of the rain god. Rato Macchindranath spends the next six months in that temple. Machhendranath is an important festival for the
Newar people. They celebrate it because Macchendranath saved them from a drought once and gave the water by making
Karkotak relieve the water serpents. ==Temples in India==