Nepal is a country known for its festivities. The country is known for various vibrant festivals, but the Indra Jatra Festivals stand out as they draw tourists, devotees, and photographers from all around. The celebration began on Tuesday, attracting lakhs of people to the streets. One of the most popular aspects of this festival is the unique procession in which a young girl, also known as Kumari, is honoured and prayed to as a living goddess. The young goddess, seated in a wooden chariot, is paraded so that worshipers might see her.
This time, well-known personalities like President Ram Chandra Poudel, government officials, and international ambassadors were in attendance.
Everything related to the festival
The Indra Jatra celebration commemorates Lord Indra, the ‘God of Rain’. The celebration commemorates the conclusion of the harvest season in the nation and features a colourful parade of chariots bearing a ‘living goddess’. The girl, known as Kumari, has a unique position in Hindu and Buddhist traditions as a symbol of the divine feminine.
What can we expect?
On this day, family gather to celebrate with large feasts. They light incense and pray for their dead loved ones. Nepal’s atmosphere is one of togetherness and devotion. Men in the nation wear colourful masks and extravagant robes depicting Hindu deities. They also perform traditional dances with vibrant music and drums. Large audiences are drawn to these performances, which turn Kathmandu’s historic streets into a vibrant spectacle.
The Newar community of Nepal celebrates Indra Jatra the most. It also symbolizes the beginning of the fall. The masked dance acts are one of the festival’s main attractions, and each movement is meticulously coordinated.
Kumari comes out of the temple
This is also the moment Kumari, who resides in her temple palace, emerges on her chariot. She is ceremoniously driven throughout the city in her beautiful chariot, accompanied by ardent believers anxious to receive her blessings. The event celebrates Nepalese culture and traditions.
Indra Jatra not only honours a seasonal change but promotes the Newar cultural identity and Nepal’s unique past. This event, with its religious importance, allows everyone to participate in this shared feeling of pleasure and community.
