Kathmandu, Feb. 11 -- The annual chariot festival in Patan of the rain god, Matsyendranath, has deep historical connections with the Indian state of Assam, and experts at a symposium this week in Guwahati looked at how to deepen this connection.

They also drew parallels between the current climate and biodiversity crisis and the 12-year drought in Kathmandu Valley that forced a desperate King Narendradev to bring Guru Matsyendranath to Bungmati disguised as a bumble bee.

Legend has it that when the sage Gorakhnath meditated on a bed of serpents it created a devastating drought in Kathmandu Valley. The king undertook a perilous journey to Assam and bring Matsyendranath, who happened to be Gorakhnath's spiritual mentor.

On seeing his gur...