More than 300 pieces of wood are used to construct the chariot of Rato Machhindranath. The 100 pieces of the total goes to the wheels each confirming to the exact 25 pieces. Each wheel is a symbolic representation of god Bhairav.
The central spine of the wheel is a cylindrical drum strengthened at the edges using iron rings. To this central drum the wedge shaped pieces of wood are affixed. Each three pieces are held together by an arced wood. Thus the total of 18 wedge shaped wood pieces are held in place by 6 arced woods and connected to a central spine.
The central spine of the wheel is a cylindrical drum strengthened at the edges using iron rings. To this central drum the wedge shaped pieces of wood are affixed. Each three pieces are held together by an arced wood. Thus the total of 18 wedge shaped wood pieces are held in place by 6 arced woods and connected to a central spine.
The wheels need to rotate to cover the linear distance and at the same time dissipate load from the superstructure to the earth surface. So a highly compressive material like Na – Shin must have been the best choice. (The woods with higher flexibility are used to construct the towering portion of the ratha.)
Machhindranath or Karunamaya is the god of rain and compassion. The one at Lalitpur among the four is known as Rato Machhindranath (Rato meaning red) or Bunga dyo. Each Year the Chariot or Ratha of Machhindranath is constructed on the lunar month of Baisakh and the month long chariot festival is celebrated. This chariot festival is one of the most spectacular festivals celebrated and the source of entertainment for the mortals of the valley.
(Text copied from readbusinessarchitecture.com)
(Model Created in SketchUp 2015, edited in Photoshop)
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