Patan (Lalitpur): A delegation led by Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan has arrived in Guwahati, India, to participate in an international conference on Rato Machchhindranath. The event is being organized by Guwahati University, Assam, to discuss the historical, religious, and cultural significance of the deity.

Rato Machchhindranath, also known as Buṅga Dyaḥ in the Nepal Bhasa language, is venerated as Karunamaya, an aspect of Bodhisattva Avalokiteswara, and is believed to bring monsoon rains and good harvests. The deity is also linked to the Hindu saint Machhindranatha.

Mayor Maharjan is accompanied by a team of officials, including Bikash Man Shrestha, Coordinator of Tourism and Culture Committee and Chairman of Ward No. 5, Rupendra Raj Shakya, Chairman of Ward No. 6, and Rajendra Maharjan, Chairman of Ward No. 19. Additionally, intangible heritage advisor Badan Lal Nyachyo and tourism advisor Dilendra Raj Shrestha are part of the delegation.

According to Mayor Maharjan, the conference will feature extensive discussions on the historical legend of Rato Machchhindranath, whose arrival in Kathmandu Valley from Kamaksha Kamaru, Assam, dates back 1,400 years. The event aims to strengthen cultural and religious ties between Nepal and India while highlighting the deity’s spiritual and historical importance.