Editorial photo #13862497 Human Interest
Nepal: Bhoto Jatra Concludes Rato Machhindranath Jatra In Lalitpur
A Guthi Sansthan official displays a traditional ornamental vest (bhoto) during Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the culmination of the chariot procession, a centuries-old tradition that lasts from one month to as long as four months depending on the lunar calendar, local rituals, and community obligations. Historians trace the origins of the Machhindranath chariot procession back around 1,300 years, making it one of the oldest continuous festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. According to legend, serpent king Karkotak's queen was cured of an eye ailment after a farmer--mistaken for a healer--offered a medicinal paste made from soil and prayer at Taudaha. In gratitude, the farmer was gifted a jewel-studded vest (bhoto), which later became the center of a dispute involving a supernatural being. Unable to determine rightful ownership, the vest was eventually entrusted to Machhindranath. Since then, Bhoto Jatra has been observed annually, with the vest publicly displayed from the chariot, symbolically inviting anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward. Despite centuries of tradition, no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership, reinforcing the bhoto's enduring mystery and sacred significance in the cultural memory of the Kathmandu Valley. The ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, and thousands of devotees, reflecting its continued importance as one of Nepal's most significant religious and cultural events. (Photo by Safal Prakash Shrestha/NurPhoto)
