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Arts/Culture
Sep 7, 2022

Indra Jatra Festival begins……

FA News Desk
With the erection wooden pole in Hanumandhoka on Wednesday, the Indra Jatra festival begins in Kathmandu. Photo by Natikaji Maharjan
With the erection wooden pole in Hanumandhoka on Wednesday, the Indra Jatra festival begins in Kathmandu. Photo by Natikaji Maharjan

Indra Jatra, which is a cultural heritage of the country, has a special place among other Jatras and festivals.

Indra Jatra, which starts after the ritually hoisting of the lingo with the rainbow flag, is celebrated for eight days with various types of dances, chariot processions and worship of gods and goddesses begins today in Kathmandu.

As the Indradhwoj (wooden pole) is erected at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar (palace) Square located in downtown Kathmandu today–Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. auspicious time the Indra Jatra Festival has started.

Every year, on the day of Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi, the Jatra begins with the worship of Indra in the premises of Hanumandhoka and the raising of a lingo (wooden pole) with the Indra flag in front of the huge idol of Kal Bhairava in Hanumandhoka palace area.

Earlier, the tree in the forest of Ugrachandi Nala of Kavrepalanchok district touched by a goat who was worshiped according to tantric method is to be brought by pulling the huge long tree to Kathmandu.

This festival is celebrated for eight days by worshiping Indra, the god of rain and season, and performing dances related to various gods and goddesses including Lakhey, as well as the chariot of Living Goddess Kumari, Lord Bhairav ​​and Lord Ganesh are pulled and taken around the core areas of the Kathmandu city.

The local people are connected to their culture and heritage, these cultures, traditions and lifestyles of Nepal’s various ethnic groups are attractive to Nepal’s tourism. Thus, Indra Jatra is also a major attraction for cultural tourism in Nepal.

On your mark….get set…. go…….Process to erect wooden pole at Hanumandhoka Palace Square in downtown city. Photo: Natikaji Maharjan.