Kathmandu, June 20: President Ramchandra Paudel observed Bhoto Jatra, as part of the Machhindranath festival on Saturday afternoon.
President Paudel attended the festival dedicated to Rato Machhindranath, revered as the deity of rain and prosperity at Jawalakhel, Lalitpur district.
The Head of the State, accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel along with other dignitaries, marked his presence in the ceremony where the centuries-old ritual of displaying the jewel-studded sacred vest (bhoto) was carried out.
The bhoto is a mythical vest studded with jewels and believed to belong to Lord Machhindranath.
During the ceremony, officials from the Guthi Sansthan displayed the sacred bhoto.
The ritual has it that the bhoto is exhibited on the fourth day after the chariot of Rato Machindranath reaches Jawalakhel from Lagankhel.
President Paudel, on the occasion, also paid obeisance to Rato Machhindranath and received blessings from the Living Goddess Kumari.
Rato Machhindranath is widely worshipped as the provider of food, the bringer of rain, and a protector against hardship and famine, giving the festival deep cultural, religious and historical significance.
The ceremony was attended by Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma and Chairperson of National Assembly Narayan Dahal among others dignitaries.
