Full film record created for the National Human Studies Film Center (aka National Anthropological Film Center), Smithsonian Institution. Research film project documents the annual Rato Machhindranath festival in May-September 1979, during which devotees pull a chariot to ensure rainfall for crop growth. Footage documents crowds of people both observing and pulling the chariot, offerings of rice water and butter lamps, receiving tika, and Jyapu religious dances. The chariot is drawn through locales including Sundhara and Nakhu Bazaar; the festival ends with a large worship service and prayer. Other footage includes families engaging in everyday agricultural activities such as threshing, sweeping, harvesting, and preparing for rain.
General:
Local Numbers: HSFA 1986.13.40
Sponsor:
Cataloging supported by Smithsonian Institution Women's Committee.
