Lalitpur, June 19: The Rato Machhindranath Rath Yatra or chariot procession will come to an end on Saturday after the display of the Bhoto (jewel studded vest) in Jawalakhel.
Revered as the God of rain and compassion, the Rato Machhindranath festival is believed to be 1,600 years old and the longest cultural-religious festival in the country.
Ward Chairman of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-4 Santosh Khadka shared that preparations have reached the final phase to display the Bhoto at the Lalit Mandap in Jawalakhel.
During the Rath Yatra, which began on the first day of the first lunar month of Baisakh, the idol of Lord Rato Machhindranath was placed on a 32-foot-high chariot and taken around Pulchowk, Mangalbazar, Sundhara, Lagankhel, Kumaripati to Jawalakhel. It is customary to display the Bhoto on the fourth day after the chariot reaches Jawalakhel.
The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, worshipped as the god of rain and prosperity, is one of the ancient and unique cultural heritages of Nepal. During the monarchy, there was a tradition of the King attending the Bhoto Jatra, but after the establishment of the republic, the President has been participating in the ceremony.
After the Bhoto Jatra is completed, the idol of Rato Machhindranath is placed in an ancient artistic khat and taken from Jawalakhel to Machhindrabahal in Bungmati with the playing of traditional musical instruments.
