Bungadyo : Rato Matsyandranath Ratharohan | बुंगद्यः (रातो मच्छिन्द्रनाथ) रथारोहण | 2081 Baishakh 27 | Hamro Patro

Bungadyo: ( Rato Machhindranaath) Ratharohan

Yogi Machhindranaath , Machhindranaath  Ratharohan in Lalitpur
Kathmandu Valley annually commemorates the chariot festival (Jatra) on the glory of Yogi Machhindranaath since 1600 years and even more. This Jatra lasts for two months starting from Baisakh Shukla pratipada till Asar Shukla Chauthi.

The longest Jatra of the Kathmandu valley
The cultural and religious significance of Jatra is of particular importance, says the cultural expert.

The Jatra, which is one of the most important of Patan and the longest Jatra of the valley has been carrying an undisputable discipline and symmetrical faith prehistoric. Today is the commencing day of this Jatra, my utmost prayers for

Reintroducing Yogi  Machhindranaath 
 Machhindranaath before I begin my write-up by reintroducing Yogi  Machhindranaath through my drab words and naive explanations, forgive me if any wrong judgment. Yogi Machhindranaath is a Siddha who can control the forces of nature, he is hugely observed as a lord of rainfall in Nepal. One who practices Yoga is called Yogi and Yogi  Machhindranaath is a Siddha who is also acknowledged for delivering his knowledge to Gorakhnath, Yogi Gorakhnath is hugely worshipped across the globe and Nepali royal clan expresses their large proximity with the rituals in offering and worshiping Yogi Gorakhnath. Go means "Earth" and Rakh means to protect, the entire earth is protected by a boy called Gorakhnath who is not just a disciple but also a son of Yogi  Machhindranaath There is a very interesting story of the manifestation of Gorakhnath by Yogi Machhindranaath, I will elaborate that story some other day. In Sanskrit Machhindranaath translates to the lord of fishes, Yogi Machhindranaath is Maha svarupa and Matsya Svarupa, he is a founder of Kaula tradition. Let me explain Kaula for you, it is said that Yogi Machhindranaath spent twelve years in a belly of fish in the ocean (this is called "Kula"). Kula is also described as an illusion that is mastered and defeated by Yogi Machhindranaath "Kaula" is the origin of Vajrayana Buddhism and Kashmiri Shaivism.

oṁ siddha yogī Machhindranaath namaḥ

Machhindranaath  is called Bungadyo: in the local Newa language, recognized by both (Hindus and Buddhists) as an incarnation of Lord Shiva in Hindu and as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara in Buddhism.At the beginning of the Jatra of Lalitpur-based Red Matsyendranath, the idol of Karunamayi is made from the soil of the present Mahepi hill, and the spirit of the Karunamayi in the Kalash is established in that clay idol. That idol is washed today, all these rituals happen under delicate supervision and keen involvement of community people. This auspicious chariot is then carried and placed in several avenues of Lalitpur city during these two months of the Jatra celebration, finally, after showing the auspicious "Bhoto" at Jawalakhel, this Jatra concludes that the idol is respectfully carried to Bungmati. The ancient village of Bungmati is the birthplace of Yogi  Machhindranaath, this is where the holy idol of Machhindranaath rests for the next six months after the chariot festival.

Lord Machhindranaath has a million Kripas upon us, may his blessings and leadership drive us.

-Suyog Dhakal