"election process"

#13862483

21 Jun 2026

Nepal Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The event marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals, with origins traced back roughly 1,300 years. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is also attended by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, highlighting the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862464

21 Jun 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest is given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cures the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership places the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862465

21 Jun 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest is given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cures the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership places the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862466

21 Jun 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest is given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cures the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership places the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862467

21 Jun 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest is given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cures the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership places the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862468

21 Jun 2026

Nihira Bajracharya, the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest is given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cures the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership places the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862469

21 Jun 2026

Nepali Army Gurju Paltan performs during the Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees.

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#13862470

21 Jun 2026

Nepali Army Gurju Paltan performs during the Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees.

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#13862471

21 Jun 2026

Nepali Army Gurju Paltan performs during the Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees.

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#13862472

21 Jun 2026

Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership.

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#13862473

21 Jun 2026

Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership.

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#13862474

21 Jun 2026

Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership.

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#13862475

21 Jun 2026

Mahabir Pun, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, is welcomed by Lalitpur Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan as he attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership.

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#13862480

21 Jun 2026

Nepal Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The event marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals, with historians tracing its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is also attended by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862481

21 Jun 2026

Nepal Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel attends Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The event marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals, with origins traced back roughly 1,300 years. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year, the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is also attended by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees, underscoring the event's enduring cultural significance.

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#13862482

21 Jun 2026

Nepali Army Gurju Paltan performs during the Bhoto Jatra, the concluding ritual of the Rato Machhindranath Festival, in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 20, 2026. The ceremony marks the formal end of the chariot procession honoring Rato Machhindranath, the rain deity revered by both Hindu and Buddhist communities across the Kathmandu Valley. The festival, one of Nepal's longest-running religious traditions, lasts from one to four months depending on lunar cycles and local rituals; historians trace its origins to roughly 1,300 years ago. Bhoto Jatra centers on the public display of a jewel-studded vest (bhoto). According to legend, the vest was given to a grateful farmer by serpent king Karkotak after the farmer cured the queen's eye ailment with a medicinal paste prepared at Taudaha; a later dispute over ownership placed the vest in Machhindranath's care. Each year the vest is shown from the chariot as an invitation for anyone with valid proof of ownership to come forward; no claimant has ever successfully proven ownership. The 2026 ceremony is attended by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Home Minister Sudan Gurung, and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun, alongside thousands of devotees.

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