President Ramchandra Paudel Observes Bhoto Jatra Festival

President Ramchandra Paudel observed the Bhoto Jatra, a cultural festival celebrated today in honor of Rato Machchhindranath, the God of rain and good harvest. The festival took place at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur at 4:00 PM.

Accompanying the President were 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. The gathering was held to witness the display of the bhoto, a mythical vest adorned with jewels believed to belong to Lord Machchhindranath.

The dignitaries were welcomed by Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, Chief District Officer of Lalitpur Tulsi Bahadur Shrestha, and LMC Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya. Every 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.

During the 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, officials from Kathmandu Metropolitan City, chiefs of local levels in Kathmandu Valley, and chiefs of security agencies were also present at the festival.

The event drew 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 today with the display of the bhoto. Prior to this, a chariot procession of Rato Machchhindranath was carried from Gabahal to Jawalakhel through Mangalbazar, Tangal Ititol, Kumaripati, and Manbhavan.

Baikuntha Acharya, Chief of the Guthi Sansthan, stated that the idol of Rato Machchhindranath would be taken to Bungamati today, marking the end of the festivity. The Bhoto Jatra celebration is believed to have started some 1,600 years ago in the Kathmandu Valley, continuing as a significant cultural tradition.

Watch More Photos: All Photo By- Pradeep Raj Onta/RSS