Indra Jatra Celebrated with Grandeur in Kathmandu

Photos: Beeju Maharjan / TDN

Kathmandu: Indra Jatra, one of the grandest festivals of the Kathmandu Valley, was celebrated with much enthusiasm at Basantapur on Saturday.

The main day of the eight-day festival saw the presence of President Ram Chandra Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, along with other dignitaries.

Also known as Yenya in the Newar community, Indra Jatra is the largest religious street festival in Kathmandu. It is observed from the 12th day of the bright lunar fortnight to the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Yanla, the 11th month of the Nepal Era calendar.

The festival begins with the worship of Indra, the Hindu god of rain and harvest, and the erection of Yosin, a ceremonial wooden pole adorned with Indra’s banner at Hanuman Dhoka. The pole is traditionally brought from a forest near Nala, Bhaktapur, by members of the Manandhar community.

Indra Jatra also coincides with Kumari Jatra, during which the chariots of deities Ganesh, Bhairav, and the Living Goddess Kumari are paraded around the city.

Other highlights include traditional masked dances such as Majipa Lakhey and Pulu Kisi, vibrant cultural and musical processions, and public displays of various deities.

Here are some photos from Hanumandhoka Durbar Square: