Travel Nepa

Story behind the Bhoto Jatra
Rato Machhindranath is the Buddhist deity of rain and water .And also known as the God of rain. Rato machindranath festival is held just before monsoon .The chariot is pulled by people around the roads of Patan and then put to rest at a spot .The festival is celebrated for almost a month until it comes to rest at Jawalakhel .It ends with Bhoto Jatra, during which the bhoto (vest) of Machindranath is displayed infront of the public .Bhoto Jatra , about the black velvet jeweled bhoto has its own story.Legend has said that it was given to a farmer by Karkot Naga in reward for curing an eye disease , but was stolen .When the farmer was attending Machindranath festival at Jawalakhel , he saw someone wearing the same vest .A quarrel turned into fight between farmer and a man wearing the vest. Karkot Naga was also at the festival in human form .He settled the quarrel and submitted the bhoto to Machindranath for safe-keeping .From that time every year the bhoto is shown to the general public assuring them that it has been kept safely.