Nepal Observes Centuries Old Bhoto Jatra Festival

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is gesturing as he is arriving to observe the Bhoto Jatra procession in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 4, 2024. The 'Bhoto' or jewel-studded vest is being shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra, symbolizing the end of the longest Jatra and the start of the festivities. It is a tradition that has been followed for a long time, and the Bhoto has remained unclaimed since then. The Bhoto displayed annually at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur has pearls and jewels attached to it. The jewel-studded vest is being packed and kept inside a cloth pouch for a year and is opened only in the presence of the State head on a particular day fixed by the priests when the Rato Machhindranath Jatra commences. The showing of the vest on that particular day is demonstrating it to be safe with the state, and whoever is the owner of the vest is invited to come and claim it. This practice, which has run for a long time now, is becoming an integral part of the month-long festival. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto via Getty Images)