Deepanjali Pradhan (First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok , 2024) After hearing the word “ Bhoto Jatra ” people might think that the Newar people are crazy for celebrating the festival of the vest. What is so important about the vest? It is important to know what a bhoto jatra is and why it is celebrated. Well, there are no such festivals in newa community which does not explain the existence and the importance of any festivals, traditions, and rituals. So here goes the story for celebrating “ Bhoto Jatra”. According to the legend, it is said that “ Once the wife of Karakal Nagraj had an eye disease which was not getting cured even after doing so many medications. There lived a farmer ( Jyapu ) who said that he can heal her eye problem and Nagraj let him try. Then the farmer rubbed on his body with his hand and collected the dirt and put it in the eyes of Nagraj’s wife. After which his wife was instantly cured, seeing to which Nagraj was overjoyed and rewarded the...
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