Photo: RSS
PATAN: President Ramchandra Paudel observed the traditional Bhoto Jatra festival in Lalitpur on Sunday.
Along with the President, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Chairperson of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal also observed the Bhoto Jatra. They were welcomed by Lalitpur Chief District Officer Tulsi Bahadur Shrestha, Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan and Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya.
On the occasion, officials of the Guthi Sansthan displayed the Bhoto (sacred vest) from the Rato Machhindranath chariot. President Paudel also worshiped the Red Machhindranath and received prasad. He also worshipped the Living Goddess Kumari.
Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, chiefs and deputy chiefs of local bodies in the valley, and heads of security agencies were also present on the occasion.
The Bhoto Jatra marks the end of the Red Machhindranath chariot procession during which the chariot of the deity of rain and good harvest, Red Machhindranath, is pulled from Pulchowk through Gabahal, Mangalbazaar, Tangala, Iti Tole, Kumaripati and Manbhawan to Jawalakhel. According to the tradition, the Bhoto is shown on the fourth day after reaching Jawalakhel.
