Kathmandu is celebrating 'Bhoto Jatra' today. With Bhoto Jatra the month long chariot festival of the valley's rain god, Rato Macchendranath comes to an end today in Jwalakhel, Lalitpur. After beginning his journey on a full moon day in a decorative wooden chariot, pulled by local devotees,  the god visited all  the important localities of Patan and ended his journey today at  Jwalakhel with the showing of the Bhoto(vest).   That the rain god has been appeased and the valley has been blessed is evident from the heavy downpour that the valley has been recieving the last couple of days.

Today marks the end of the month-long celebration of Rato Machhendranath Jatra, the chariot pulling festival of the rain god Rato (red) Machhendranath. The valley’s denizens, especially the farmers, believe that Rato Machhendranath’s blessing is needed to bring in the rains needed for a good harvest. After journeying through many toles (localities) the chariot of the rain god finally reached Jawalakhel. Today, the fourth day of the chariot’s arrival at Jawalakhel is celebrated as Bhoto Jatra on Jawalakhel ground. A bejeweled bhoto (vest) of  Machhendranath will be displayed before the public and other dignitaries on the occasion. President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President Paramananda Jha, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and other officials will be attending the Bhoto Jatra celebration.

One of the oldest and longest chariot pulling festivals celebrated in the Kathmandu valley, the Rato Machhendranath Jatra(chariot pulling festival of the Rain God) began from yesterday, May 7, 2011. Rato Machhendranath is regarded as the rain god by the valley’s denizens. His chariot is pulled by devotees through the major localities of Lalitpur for about two  months. The Bhoto Jatra at Jwalakhel square marks the end of the rain god’s journey.

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Bhoto Jatra was celebrated yesterday,27th June 2010, formally ending the long journey of the rain god Machendranth on his chariot throughout Lalitpur.The bejewlled bhoto (vest) was shown thrice to the public as per tradition in the presence of  President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and other dignitaries. Bhoto Jatra used to be witnessed by the living goddess, Kumari, and Nepal’s royal family.

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