The name is derived from the large open field at the town's center where cooked rice is offered during an annual religious festival.

The field is the venue of Bhoto Jātrā, the festival of the display of the sacred vest, which is the most important cultural event held in Jawalakhel.

[citation needed] Bhoto Jatra is the concluding ceremony of the chariot festival of Bunga Dyah, the longest street celebration held in Patan.

The refugees used their hereditary skills and wove woolen carpets like the type traditionally made in Tibet, and an industry was born in Nepal.

[7] In the recent times, Jawalakhel has emerged as one of the most happening places in Lalitpur district with many shopping centres, clothing stores, cafes, restaurants, schools, banks and other modern amenities.