LALITPUR: The Bhoto Jatra festival concluded with much fanfare here on Saturday, ending the annual Rato Machhindranath chariot procession.

This is the single longest running festival observed only in Lalitpur district.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, in his capacity as the head of the state, witnessed the Bhoto studded with precious jewels. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and other high-ranking officials also attended the ceremony.

Farmers from across the Valley and other places observed the festival by offering prayers and worshipped the deity for rain and good harvest. Rato is worshipped as the rain god.

The Bhoto is shown

from all the four corners of the chariot of Lord Machhindranath to ensure that it is safe. Thousands of people had thronged to Jawalakhel to witness the Bhoto Jatra. The chariot was drawn round parts of the district before stationing at Jawalakhel.