the festivities in Patan

Machhendranath and his crazy chariots

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May 17th 2008
We had just planned on spending a relaxed afternoon in Patan, but of course, we got more than we had bargained for. It turns out that Patan (a city right smack next to Kathmandu) is in the middle of hosting its biggest festival, the Rato Machhendranath Festival. They make these gigantic chariots out of what looks like sticks and evergreen boughs. Put it on wheels, stick some flags on top, attach a ... read more

Asia » Nepal » Patan

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In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist in... ... read more