Rato Machhindranath Chariot Festival Concludes with Bhoto Jatra

Lalitpur. The Rato Machhindranath chariot festival, considered Nepal's longest cultural-religious festival and approximately 1,600 years old, will officially conclude on Saturday with the showing of the Bhoto in the presence of the Head of State.

Ward Chairman of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-4, Santosh Khadka, informed that preparations are in the final stages for showing the Bhoto at the Lalit Mandap in Jawalakhel, stating that preparations are in the final stages. According to him, the Bhoto will be displayed to the general public and distinguished guests this year as well, just like every year.

The chariot procession, which began on the first day of the bright half of Baishakh, carried the idol of the deity Rato Machhindranath in a 32-hand-high chariot, parading it through Pulchok, Mangal Bazaar, Sundara, Lagankhel, and Kumari Pati to Jawalakhel. Ward Chairman Khadka informed that it is customary to display the Bhoto on the fourth day after the chariot reaches Jawalakhel.

According to cultural experts, the Rato Machhindranath festival, worshipped as the god of rain and prosperity, is one of Nepal's ancient and unique cultural heritages. While the tradition during the monarchy was for the King to attend the Bhoto festival, after the establishment of the republic, the President has been participating in the ceremony.

Ward Chairman Khadka mentioned that after the Bhoto showing festival concludes, the idol of Rato Machhindranath is placed in an ancient artistic palanquin and taken from Jawalakhel to Machhindrabahal in Bungamati with musical accompaniment, a tradition that is followed.

He stated that this year's festival has been peaceful, organized, and successfully concluded, and urged the devotees and spectators attending the Bhoto festival to cooperate with the necessary security and management. He also urged all concerned to refrain from conducting business on the footpaths in the Jawalakhel area.