According to legend, a farmer from Patan once received this vest from Karkota Naga, the king of snakes, as thanks for healing his wife’s eye disease with Ayurvedic herbs. The farmer was very proud of this vest and wore it everywhere. However, a spirit seeing this became jealous.
One day when the farmer took off his vest to work in the field, the ghost stole it and ran away. After being unable to catch the spirit, the farmer went looking for it and happened upon the Rato Machhindranath Festival that was taking place. Here he caught sight of the ghost in the crowd wearing a similar jeweled black vest. However, the ghost claimed that the vest was his, and a dispute ensued between the ghost and the farmer. The king, who happened to be present, inquired about the reason for the quarrel.
After both the peasant and the ghost each told their version of the story, the king decided that the vest should remain with the priests of the Bunga Dhyah chariot procession until someone could prove that the vest belonged to them.
Since then, each year in the presence of Kumari, the living virgin goddess of Patan, the bhoto is fluttered from the archway of the chariot so that the straining, excited populace may catch a glimpse of this sacred relic and be assured of its safety. The “Bhoto” is always shown to the public on the last day of Rato Machhindranath Jatra at the Bhoto Jatra ceremony in the presence of the Kumari of Patan and the King of Nepal, now the President.
This allows the rightful owner to come forward and provide evidence of this. If no one answers, the vest is repacked and placed in the care of the priest of the Machhindranath Mandir.
Featured Photo: Nirmal Dulal
@askmeaboutnepal Bhoto Jatra, is celebrated by fluttering this Ornamented Vestcoat called Bhoto on the last day of Rato Macchendranath Jatra. according to the legend this Bhoto belonged to Jyapu (a farmer) which was unfortunately stolen. #askemaboutnepal #bhotojatra #newar #newarfestival #nepali #ftp @suprince_shakya_ @ratomachhindranathbunga
