Kathmandu, Sept 28: President Ramchandra Paudel observed the Indrajatra festival in the federal capital on Thursday.
On the occasion of the age-old cultural and historic festival, President Paudel reached the Gaddibaithak, Hanumandhoka from Juddha Salik on foot and graced the jatra, according to President’s press advisor Kiran Pokhrel.
Other dignitaries as Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timalsina, ministers, lawmakers, Province Assembly members, people’s representatives from local levels also reached the Gaddhibaithak to view the jatra.
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On the occasion, President Paudel offered prayers to Lord Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari which were brought there by towing the chariots.
Today is the major celebration day of Indrajatra, which began after performing cultural rituals on Tuesday in line with the lunar calendar.
The chariot pulling will be held in the southern Tole today, while in the northern thoroughfare will have the chariot process on Friday, according to Guthi Sansthan, Kathmandu.
It is believed that the Indrajatra festival began during the reign of King Pratap Malla.
Indra, the God of rains and good harvest, is worshiped today.
Know about Indrajatra
The eight-day long Indra Jatra festival falls in September and is one of the most exciting and revered festivals of the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley. This also marks the beginning of a month-long festival season of autumn. It begins with the erection of a wooden pole made of pine at Basantapur Sqaure in front of the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace.
For the pole-raising ceremony, hundreds of spectators gather at the Palace Square and on the surrounding temples. The chariot of Kumari, the Living Goddess, is taken out in a procession through the main streets of Kathmandu.
Masked dancers known as Lakhay take to the streets almost every evening accompanied by loud drums. The festival commemorates the time when Indra came down from heaven in human form to look for an herb.
Each night of Indra Jatra the shrines and ancient palace buildings around Kathmandu Durbar Square are aglow with oil wicks. Each night on the platform in front of the temple of the Living Goddess, there is an enactment depicting the ten earthly incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The large image of Akash Bhairab’s head is put on display out in the open directly facing his temple at Indra Chowk.
In the afternoon of the day before full moon, ecstatic mobs gather near Hanuman Dhoka Palace for the long-awaited Living Goddess’ chariot procession to catch a glimpse of the revered little Newar girl who has been deified as Kumari representing Goddess Taleju.
The chariot of the Kumari followed by two other smaller chariots carrying a representative of Ganesh and Bhairav is taken to different parts of the old Kathmandu through the narrow alleys where people gather to watch and pay homage. The festival of Indra Jatra ends with the lowering of the (lingam) pole bearing Indra’s flag amidst religious ceremonies.
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Photo: Ratna Shrestha/RSS
