Rato Machhindranath Jatra to Conclude with Bhoto Display in Jawalakhel on Saturday

The centuries-old Rato Machhindranath Rath Yatra is set to conclude on Saturday with the traditional display of the sacred Bhoto (jewel-studded vest) at Jawalakhel.

Revered as the god of rain and compassion, the Rato Machhindranath festival is believed to be around 1,600 years old and is recognized as the longest-running cultural and religious festival in Nepal.

Ward Chairman of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-4, Santosh Khadka, informed that preparations have reached the final stage for the Bhoto display, which will take place at Lalit Mandap in Jawalakhel.

The Rath Yatra began on the first day of the Baisakh lunar month, when the idol of Rato Machhindranath was placed on a 32-foot-high chariot. The chariot was then taken through Pulchowk, Mangalbazar, Sundhara, Lagankhel, Kumaripati, and finally to Jawalakhel, marking a journey through key areas of Lalitpur.

Traditionally, the Bhoto is displayed on the fourth day after the chariot arrives in Jawalakhel, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors to witness the ritual.

The Rato Machhindranath festival, dedicated to the deity worshipped as the god of rain and prosperity, remains one of Nepal’s most significant cultural heritages. During the monarchy, the King used to attend the Bhoto Jatra, while in the republican era, the President has continued the tradition of witnessing the ceremony.

Following the Bhoto Jatra, the idol of Rato Machhindranath is placed in an ancient artistic khat and taken from Jawalakhel to Machhindrabahal in Bungmati, accompanied by traditional musical instruments, marking the formal conclusion of the festival.