KATHMANDU, AUGUST 4
President Ramchandra Paudel observed Bhoto Jatra, a cultural festival celebrated today. President Paudel attended the festival dedicated to Rato Machchhindranath, the God of rain and good harvest, at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur at 4:00 pm.
The Head of State was accompanied by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, among other dignitaries, to witness the display of the bhoto. The bhoto is a mythical vest studded with jewels and believed to belong to Lord Machchhindranath.
The dignitaries observing Bhoto Jatra were welcomed by Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, Chief District Officer of Lalitpur Tulsi Bahadur Shrestha, and LMC Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya. Each year, employees of the Guthi Sansthan display the jewel-studded bhoto from the chariot of Rato Machchhindranath to the public in the presence of the Head of State. This tradition continued today as well.
On this occasion, President Paudel paid obeisance to Rato Machchhindranath and received prasad. He also offered obeisance to the living Goddess Kumari. Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, chiefs of local levels in Kathmandu Valley, and chiefs of security agencies also marked their presence at the festival along with the President.
The festival also attracted a significant number of the general public, eager to catch a glimpse of the mythical vest and receive blessings from Rato Machchhindranath. The four-day festival concluded with the display of the mythical vest today. Prior to this, a chariot procession of Rato Machchhindranath was carried from Gabahal to Jawalakhel through Mangalbazar, Tangal Ititol, Kumaripati, and Manbhavan.
The idol of Rato Machchhindranath will be taken to Bungamati today, marking the end of the festivities, said Baikuntha Acharya, Chief of the Guthi Sansthan. The celebration is believed to have started some 1,600 years ago in the Kathmandu Valley.
