Nepal prays for rain

Published May 4, 2012
Nepalese female devotees pull the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath through a street in Lalitpur, Nepal, Friday, May 4, 2012. ? Photo by  AP.
Nepalese female devotees pull the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath through a street in Lalitpur, Nepal, Friday, May 4, 2012. ? Photo by AP.
A Nepalese boy sits under the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath during the chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Thursday, May 3, 2012. ? Photo by AP.
A Nepalese boy sits under the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath during the chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Thursday, May 3, 2012. ? Photo by AP.
A devotee offers butter lamp towards the chariot of Rato Machhindranath during the chariot festival in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
A devotee offers butter lamp towards the chariot of Rato Machhindranath during the chariot festival in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
An elderly woman observes the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
An elderly woman observes the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
Children wait for alms from passing devotees during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012.  ? Photo by Reuters.
Children wait for alms from passing devotees during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
Locals look from their houses during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
Locals look from their houses during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
A Nepalese priest prepares to throw a coconut from the top of the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath as part of a ritual, in Lalitpur, Nepal, Thursday, May 3, 2012. ? Photo by AP.
A Nepalese priest prepares to throw a coconut from the top of the chariot of Hindu deity Rato Machhendranath as part of a ritual, in Lalitpur, Nepal, Thursday, May 3, 2012. ? Photo by AP.
A girl lights a butter lamp during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
A girl lights a butter lamp during the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 3, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
People observe the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
People observe the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
A man offers butter lamp near the chariot of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.
A man offers butter lamp near the chariot of Rato Machhindranath in Lalitpur May 4, 2012. ? Photo by Reuters.

Rato Machchhindranath is a Hindu and Buddhist god who originated from Assam, India. According to a legend, he was brought to Lalitpur valley in Nepal to prevent a drought during the rise season.

Rato Machhindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machhindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. Every year before the monsoon season begins in Kathmandu valley, the festival of chariot festival of Rato Machhendranath is celebrated. – Photo by Agencies.

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