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DUKAS_185516725_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Nepali devotees light haystacks as they participate in the procession of welcoming Rato Machhindranath back to his home after the completion of Bhoto Jatra in Bungmati of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least a month to four months, ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516721_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
A Nepali child holds a handful of live haystacks as he participates in the procession welcoming Rato Machhindranath back to his home after the completion of Bhoto Jatra in Bungmati, Lalitpur, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession started, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistook a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brought him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516696_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Priests take out the idol of Lord Rato Machhindranath, also known as the ''Red God,'' to transport it to the ancient city of Bungmati following the completion of the Bhoto Jatra Procession on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least one to four months, ends with the display of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession began, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistook a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brought him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516686_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel (center) arrives to attend the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least a month to four months, ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. As the legend goes, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one succeeds in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516682_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Priests take out the idol of Lord Rato Machhindranath, also known as the ''Red God,'' to transport it to the ancient city of Bungmati following the completion of the Bhoto Jatra Procession on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least one to four months, ends with the display of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession began, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistook a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brought him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516669_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Members of the ethnic Newa community don traditional dress and perform a ritualistic dance in front of the Rato Machhindranath chariot ahead of the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. As the legend goes, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one succeeds in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516666_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Members of the ethnic Newa community don traditional dress and perform a ritualistic dance in front of the Rato Machhindranath chariot ahead of the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. As the legend goes, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one succeeds in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516663_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Members of the ethnic Newa community don traditional dress and perform a ritualistic dance in front of the Rato Machhindranath chariot ahead of the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. As the legend goes, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one succeeds in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516661_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Members of the ethnic Newa community don traditional dress and perform a ritualistic dance in front of the Rato Machhindranath chariot ahead of the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. As the legend goes, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one succeeds in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516659_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
The living goddess, Kumari of Patan, Nihira Bajracharya, watches the Bhoto Jatra procession in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession started, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516650_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
The living goddess, Kumari of Patan, Nihira Bajracharya, watches the Bhoto Jatra procession in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession started, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516647_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
The living goddess, Kumari of Patan, Nihira Bajracharya, watches the Bhoto Jatra procession in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession started, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516641_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
The living goddess, Kumari of Patan, Nihira Bajracharya, watches the Bhoto Jatra procession in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath is observed for at least a month to four months and ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath started around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession started, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak developed an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516820_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Nepali devotees light haystacks as they participate in the procession of welcoming Rato Machhindranath back to his home after the completion of Bhoto Jatra in Bungmati of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least a month to four months, ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516788_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Nepali devotees light haystacks as they participate in the procession of welcoming Rato Machhindranath back to his home after the completion of Bhoto Jatra in Bungmati of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least a month to four months, ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185516727_NUR
Nepal Observes Bhoto Jatra, Formally Ending Months Long Rato Machhindranath Chariot Procession
Nepali devotees light haystacks as they participate in the procession of welcoming Rato Machhindranath back to his home after the completion of Bhoto Jatra in Bungmati of Lalitpur, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. The chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath, observed for at least a month to four months, ends with the showing of the 'Bhoto,' expecting the rightful owner to come and claim it. Historians claim that the chariot procession of Machindranath starts around 1,300 years ago. According to legend, shortly after the procession starts, the queen of the serpent king Karkotak develops an eye ailment. While searching for a healer, Karkotak mistakes a farmer working in the fields for a physician and brings him to Taudaha, a wetland on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Frightened, the farmer prays to Machhindranath and rubs his hands on the soil to make an herbal paste. He offers it to Karkotak as medicine, and the paste cures the queen's eyes. Grateful, Karkotak rewards the farmer with a jewel-studded vest (bhoto) and returns him to the human world. The farmer begins wearing the bhoto while working in his fields. One day, a ghost in human form steals the vest. The farmer searches everywhere but cannot find it. Later, while attending the Machhindranath chariot festival, he sees the ghost wearing the same vest and claims it as his. When the ghost refuses to return it, a dispute breaks out. People summon Karkotak to resolve the conflict. In the end, because neither party can prove ownership, they entrust the bhoto to Machhindranath. Since then, devotees follow the tradition of displaying the bhoto after the chariot procession, hoping that someone with valid proof of ownership will come forward. Each year, they display the sacred vest on an auspicious date. According to legend, no one has succeeded in proving ownership of the bhoto so far. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512142_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512140_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512136_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512134_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512132_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto) -
DUKAS_185512128_NUR
Nepal Celebrating Bhoto Jatra Of Rato Machindranath Chariot Festival.
Members of Guthi Sansthan display the bejeweled vest known as Bhoto to the public from the chariot during the celebration of Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel, Nepal, on June 1, 2025. Rato Machindranath is also said to be the 'god of rain,' and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath in the hope of good rain to prevent drought during the rice plantation season. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto)