Chariot unease by Nitu Ghale

Photo: Nitu Ghale/ photo.circle

Every year the community in Patan comes together to build the chariot for an ancient spring festival honouring Buṅga Dyaḥ (Rato Machhindranath), the deity of rain. It is one of the biggest events that last for weeks as the chariot is pulled throughout Lalitpur. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown and concerns over coronavirus infection, it is uncertain if the festival can take place this year.

“The risk of infection is too high, the crowds at the festival will be big, we cannot allow for it to happen,” says Khimraj Bhusal, Lalipur’s Assistant Chief District officer said adding, “We have given clear directives for everyone to wait until the next year.”

However, locals have started coming together to build it on their own. They say that the message from the government about whether or not the procession will be allowed to take place is inconsistent and misleading. “The message we have received when asked whether we can hold this year’s process has neither been a clear ‘yes’ or a clear ‘no’,” says Hem Bajracharya, a priest of the Machhindranath chariot, “If it is cancelled, the government has to clearly say so.”

Meanwhile, as the priests wait for a decision from the government, their health is starting to deteriorate. “Machhindranath priests follow specific religious guidelines–we sleep in cold narrow floors, we are not allowed to go home until the festival is over, we can only wear one piece of clothing, and have to follow strict rules regarding meals and worship,” says priest Surojan Shakya, who replaced his uncle after his health started deteriorating.

Text and Photos: Nitu Ghale @eastern_keen

Copy Edit: Nisha Rai @nishastoryteller

Edit: Mallika Aryal @mikaness

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