The annual Bhoto Jatra, a significant cultural and religious event, is being celebrated today with the unveiling of the sacred Machindranath, considered the god of rain and time.
Historically known as the Jawalakhel Jatra, the event dates back approximately 800 years. According to Kirtimdan Joshi, an expert on the Jatra, the exact origins remain uncertain, but the journey of Machindranath is believed to have begun around 1,300 years ago.
Legend has it that the Jatra originated from a farmer’s encounter with a ghost who stole a precious stone gifted by a grateful king. After a series of events involving a Naga (serpent deity) and Machindranath, it was decided that the sacred object, known as the Bhoto, would be displayed annually to prevent further disputes.
Today, the tradition continues with the Guthi Sansthan Lalitpur organizing the event in the presence of the President. President Ramchandra Poudel is expected to participate in the procession, and a public holiday has been declared in the Kathmandu Valley for the occasion.
