Machchendranath Mandir, Patan

In an open courtyard, tucked away from one of the busy market streets in Patan, lies the temple of Rata (Red) Machchendranath. The three-story tall brick pagoda with richly carved and painted roof struts dates to the 17th century and houses an icon of Machchendranath, god of rain, who by Buddhists is revered as a reincarnation of Avalokitshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion.

The sanctuary is home to an icon of the deity (perhaps made of painted sandalwood, or maybe of much more elaborate nature), which was brought in the distant past from Assam to Patan to relieve a period of draught.

Every year in April, the idol is brought from the shrine during a prolonged festival that results in its relocation in the temple of Bungmati at a distance of 6 km. The processional 18 meter tall chariot is rebuilt each year from parts that are stowed away near the temple’s precincts. The enormous axels are cast solidly from copper alloy! The ones in view here lie currently in front of the close by Minnath temple, which is ritually connected. The expressive mask (seen here in open air storage) is a masterpiece of repoussé work.

The entrance to the shrine is flanked and guarded by seated lions, carved from stone and clad with now painted metal sheet (likely brass) and fastened with rivets and bolts. Handling has led to holes and losses on the rump of one lions while dents are omnipresent.

The wooden frames surrounding the door to the sanctuary and the torana above are covered with what appears to be brass sheets carrying raised decorations.  The door is covered with beautifully worked silver sheeting.

Numerous donations of metal images and donor sculpture can be found on elevated pedestals in front the sanctuary of the temple. They are safeguarded by metal structures resembling cages, lending a somewhat surreal character to some of the animated images.