Nepal’s Iconic Chariot Festival Rato Machhindranath ends with Bhoto Ceremony

Updated:1 year, 2 months ago

Lalitpur (Nepal), June 02 (ANI): Nepal's longest-chariot procession, dedicated of Rato Machhindranath, the valley's "Red God" has concluded for the year with the showing of 'Bhoto' or the jewel-studded vest, which has remained unclaimed for ages.The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to the four months' end with showing the 'Bhoto', expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians are yet to determine the exact origin date of Bhoto Jatra. However, many mention that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, a farmer cured the serpent queen’s eye ailment with a soil-made herbal paste after praying to Machhindranath. Grateful, King Karkotak gifted him a jewel-studded vest. Later, a ghost stole the vest, and when the farmer spotted it during the Machhindranath festival, a dispute arose. As neither could prove ownership, the vest was entrusted to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees have followed the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. The jewel-studded Bhoto, adorned with pearls and gems, is showcased once a year at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur. For the rest of the year, it remains securely packed in a cloth pouch and is only brought out in the presence of the state head on a specific day determined by the priests, marking the beginning of the Rato Machhindranath Jatra. The showing of vest on that particular day shows it to be safe with the state, and who so over is the owner of the vest is to come and claim it.

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