Asia Album: Rato Machindranath festival celebrated in Nepal's Lalitpur

A devotee makes offerings during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

LALITPUR, Nepal, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. It is an incarnation of Shiva which is held in Nepals' Lalitpur, which is also one of the greatest religious events in the city and the longest chariot festival celebrated in the country.

People celebrate the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

A devotee pays homage to an idol of Lord Bhairab putting on a chariot of Rato Machindranath during the Rato Machindranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

People celebrate the Rato Machindranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

An idol of Rato Machindranath is seen during the Rato Machindranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

People celebrate the Rato Machindranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

People celebrate the Rato Machindranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)■