Breaking with the long tradition, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala witnessed the ‘Bhoto Jatra’ ceremony organised at the end of the chariot procession of ‘rain God’ Rato Machhindranath in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Sunday evening.

PM Koirala, who enjoys the powers of the head of the state, witnessed the Bhoto Jatra amidst a huge public gathering.

Earlier, the King would witness the traditional ceremony.

A squad of Nepal Army presented guard of honour to the Prime Minister when he arrived at Jawalakhel to witness Bhoto Jatra. Speaker Subash Nemwang, Chief Justice Dilip Poudel and some ministers were also present there.

Thousands of people joined in the Bhoto Jatra, which concluded after several weeks of chariot procession of Rato Machhindranath.

The government announced public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley on the occasion of the Machhindranath Bhoto Jatra today.