temple of machindranath: the temple lying in a middle of wide, spacious quadrangle just outside market place, is dedicated to god of rain and plenty. a fine clay image of red machhendranath avalokiteshwar is housed here for six months every year, after which it is taken round the city of patan in a colorful chariot during the festival beginning in april-may. to buddhists he is the tantric edition of avalokiteshvara, while to hindus he is a form of shiva.