20
May
In anticipation of the monsoon, the Rain God Rato Machhendranath‘s chariot is pulled through the Lalitpur neighbourhood by his ethnic Newari devotees. Two chariots are pulled, with the community electing who gets to conduct the chariot and who gets to ride high on the chariots tall (20 meter) bamboo and pine spires. Festivals past, the chariots have been known to topple over, without any deaths, so I’m told. The Rato Macheendranath Jatra (chariot pulling festival of the Rain God) lasts about two months, and began May 7th. No doubt, one of the most extraordinary spectacles I’ve ever come across.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtSfPFxAv7A
Posted By Corey Black
Posted May 20th, 2011
2 Comments
I heart Corey
May 20, 2011
This is unreal…keep up the good work – you are my all time favorite peace fellow.
Sarah
May 20, 2011
wow – that is insane! I would have been afraid to stand under those trees when they stopped moving! They were leaning over so much! Looks awesome though!:)