KATHMANDU, Jun 1: The government has granted a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley today (Sunday).
To mark the occasion of Bhoto Jatra, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a holiday in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. The Nepal Gazette had published a notice on February 27 stating that the government would declare a public holiday on the day the sacred vest of Machindranath is displayed.
Govt declares public holiday on Sunday for Bhoto Jatra
Today, devotees will display the sacred vest (bhoto) of Rato Machhindranath, the god of rain and good harvest. Nearly 800 years ago, people referred to Bhoto Jatra as Jawalakhel Jatra. According to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti (Calendar Determination Committee), the name Jawalakhel comes from the Newar words “Ja,” meaning rice, and “Wala,” meaning to scatter or offer.
The sacred vest (bhoto) of Rato Machhindranath, the god of rain and good harvest, is being displayed.
