KATHMANDU: Due to deadly Coronavirus pandemic for the past two years, the procession to show Bhoto of Rato Machhindranath, the god of rain and contemporaries, has been completed with pomp and fanfare today in Jawalakhel. For the past two years, it has been limited to formalities.
The Rath Jatra (chariot pulling), which started on May 4, ended today with the appearance of Bhoto. Hari Prasad Subedi, Latipur District Chief of Guthi Sansthan, showed the Bhoto in the presence of President Bidya Devi Bhandari. After observing Bhoto, President Bhandari received the offering from Kumari.
The longest red Machhindranath chariot procession of the Kathmandu Valley has been celebrated not only in Lalitpur but also with the participation of Kathmandu Valley people. Chief of the Guthi, Subedi, said that the procession was completed with enthusiasm this year as the procession could not be conducted regularly due to Covid-19 for the past two years. Subedi said that the locals were participating enthusiastically.
The deity is taken to Bungmati as soon as the work of showing Bhoto is completed. The deities live in Patan and Bungmati for about half of the year. Chief Subedi also said that the historic Bhoto would be cordoned off in Bungmati.
The journey from Pulchowk to Jawalakhel through various places of Patan is called Trilok Bhraman. This Chariot pulling is considered as a visit to Machhindranath’s paradise, said Chief Subedi while explaining its historical significance. The people of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur have been participating in the procession with special significance since time immemorial.
