Akshaya Tritiya marks beginning of Bungadya (Rato Machhindranath) Chariot Festival in Lalitpur

Lalitpur, April 20 – The sacred festival of Akshaya Tritiya is being observed today across the country with religious rituals and charity activities. In the Kathmandu Valley, the day holds special significance as it marks the formal beginning of the Bungadya Jatra in Lalitpur.

Bungadya, also known as Rato Machhindranath, Karunamaya, or Arya Avalokiteśvara, is worshipped as the deity of compassion and rain by both Hindu and Buddhist communities. On Akshaya Tritiya, traditional rituals are performed in Patan to initiate the construction and preparation of the towering chariot that carries the deity during the annual procession.

Religious leaders and locals gather to perform worship and offer prayers, seeking timely monsoon rains, agricultural prosperity, and peace. The chariot festival, considered the longest in the Valley, will continue in the coming weeks with various ceremonial events and procession stages, moving through historic neighborhoods of Lalitpur before concluding at Jawalakhel.

The connection between Akshaya Tritiya and the Bungadya Jatra reflects the shared cultural and religious harmony in the Kathmandu Valley, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions blend seamlessly in long‑standing rituals centered on Arya Avalokiteśvara.

Authorities, local guthis, and traditional custodians have already begun preparations for the chariot assembly and related ceremonial works in coordination with the community, marking the auspicious start of one of Nepal’s most significant festivals.