Indra Jatra festival being celebrated today

The Indra Jatra festival is being celebrated today, traditionally by worshiping the god of rain and seasons, Indra. Indra Jatra is celebrated as a festival to celebrate victory after defeating the enemy. Indra Jatra is also considered a festival to gain power by worshipping the Indra Dhvaj and performing.

This festival, which falls on the Chaturdadashi of the Shukla of Bhadra every year, is celebrated in places like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Dolakha and others.

The eight-day festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm especially among Newa communities, features cultural highlights such as the Lakhe dance, the Pulu Kisi procession, and the pulling of chariots of Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairab through the city streets. Traditionally, the head of state pays homage to the living goddess Kumari, along with Ganesh and Bhairab, during the festivities.

The Lingo erected on the day of Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi is also called 'Indradhwajotthan'. Bhairav is worshiped at the base of the Lingo. Earlier, a tree touched by a goat, which was worshipped according to Tantric rituals and left in the Chitpol forest of Bhaktapur, is cut down on the day of Bhadra Shukla Dwitiya. After cutting, the Lingo is also taken to be brought into the valley. After bringing it into the valley, it is kept in Bhotahiti for a night and on the day of Ekadashi, the Lingo of the Indra Dhvaj is prepared in a ritual manner.

During the Indrajatra festival, which is mainly celebrated on this day, there is a tradition of the President watching the chariot procession of Shri Ganesh, Shri Bhairav and Shri Kumari, who are living goddesses, at the Gaddi Samiti in Hanuman Dhoka. As long as the monarchy existed, it was a tradition for the king to watch the chariot procession of Shri Ganesh, Shri Bhairav and Shri Kumari.

After the installation of the flag of Indra, the Jatra begins with the Bhakkunach, Mahakaalach, Lakhenaach, Dashavatar and Pulukisi dances symbolizing the elephant Airavata, the vehicle of the god Indra.

On this occasion, devotees gather at Indradaha in Dahachowk, west of the valley, to stay awake all night and take a bath on Sunday, the day of Bhadra Shukla Purnima, and celebrate the fair.