Bhoto Jatra (Photo feature)

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 25: President Ramchandra Paudel today observed the Bhotojatra festival, a ritualistic festival dedicated to the Rato Machchhindranath, the deity of rain and bountiful harvest.     

The President attended the Bhotojatra festival at Jawalakhel this afternoon and observed the ritual of displaying the Bhoto (the jewel-studded mythical vest believed to belong to the deity).     

It is a tradition to display the Bhoto on the fourth day the chariot of the deity is towed in a procession up to Jawalakhel from Lagankhel.     

Rath Jatra, which started on April 24, concludes this year with the display of Bhoto. Ramsahay Yadav, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, and other dignitaries graced today’s event. 

A public holiday was given in the three districts of the Kathmandu Valley for the day.