The Rato Machhindranath Temple stands about 400 meters south of Patan Durbar Square in a large courtyard known as Ta Baha, built in 1673. Locally the deity is called Bungadyah. Buddhists worship him as Padmapani Bodhisattva or Aryavalokiteshwar, Karunamaya, the deity with full compassion and Hindus as Machhindranatha, the incarnation of Shiva.
It is said that when there was no rain for 12 consecutive years, he has brought from Kamarupa Kamakhya, Assam in India and known as a god of rain.
The Rato Machhendranath is the only god which resides in two different temples located at two different places. Around the month of Surya Uttarayan(Jan/feb) the idol of Rato Machhindranath is brought to this temple from the temple located at Bungamati.
The Machhindranath god is enshrined in a tall chariot and paraded along the alleys of the city. This festival is among the longest festival celebrated in Nepal which lasts for more than a month.