Bhoto Jatra is a Nepalese festival celebrated before the monsoon season arrives in Nepal. Bhoto which actually means “VEST” and Jatra which means “FESTIVAL” is celebrated on the last day when Rato Machhindranath is set to pay homage after a month-long celebration.
Rato Machhindranth is treated as the God of Rain and Good Harvest. It is also a festival celebrated by the Newar Community of people, especially of the Patan area. This festival lasts for a month and is ended by showing the Bhoto (Vest) to the crowd. Rato Machhindranath festival is also known as Bunga Dyah Jatra.
This is also known as Bhoto Dekhaune Jatra, as on this day the ornamented vest (Bhoto) of Macchindranath is shown to all the well-wishers. Doing so, bring good luck to all. The Bhoto (vest) is ornamented with the black jewel.
The history behind the Bhoto Dekhaune Jatra
The festival of Bhoto Dekhaune Jatra come into our society from the ancient time. It is believed that a farmer on curing the eye ailment of Karkotaka’s wife, gets rewarded with this vest (Bhoto) and some gold and silver, which later becomes the attraction to the people because he used to wear the same vest all the time while going anywhere.
Karkotaka is regarded as the king of all snakes. He used to be a half-snake and half-man and lived inside the Taudaha lake of Kathmandu.
One day while the farmer is on his way, a ghost saw him walking by wearing the same vest, Ghost envy the vest and started following him. While the farmer is working on the field aside keeping the vest, Ghost stole it and ran away. Since the Ghost is too quick, the farmer could not catch him up.
While the Rato Machhindranath festival is carrying on, the farmer thought the Ghost might come to see this festival. Unfortunately, the Ghost was there wearing the same vest and farmer too. They started quarreling with each other and guards of King Guna Kamadev separated them and brought to the place of the king for the decision.
To present the fair outcome, King listens to all the stories behind the vest from Farmer and Ghost’s side. Both of them clearly define the story, and the king asks them to bring proof so that he could announce the fair decision. Sadly known of them success to bring the proof and the vest is kept in deity for a long period of time.
A farmer went to Karkotak’s place and agreed to arrive at the festival but he didn’t.
So, on the very last day of every Rato Machhindranath festival, the Bhoto (Vest) is shown to the public by the state head of Guthi Sansthan of Patan division. If anyone got the proof then he/she could collect it.
So, this is all about the Bhoto Jatra celebrated in the Patan division of Nepal by the Newar Community. If you wish to know or want to observe the festival live you need to confirm the date of the Rato Machhindranath festival we do not confirm the actual date of the festival as it is decided by the senior astrologers every year. Usually, the Rato Machhindranath falls during the month of April and May.
