Machhendranath is a Hindu deity; the protector of the Kathmandu Valley and the master over rain and prosperity.

The Rato Machhendranath Temple is one of the more sacred sites in Bungamati; and is dedicated to a deity of many personalities and names; Padmapani Avalokiteshvara. Buddhists worship him under the name of Rato Machhendranath or Bungadyo (The One from Bungamati); and Hindus regard him as another manifestation of their multi-facetted god Shiva.

However Buddhists and Hindus alike consider Rato Machhendranath to be the god of rain and plenty; after an incident when he is said to have intervened to end a 12 year drought by making his guru Gorakthnath rise up from squatting on a seat of naga; or serpent deities. When Gorakhnath rose from the naga; who are often associated with water; they proceeded to bring rain over the country. Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack