Bhaktapur, Sept 4: Indra Jatra, the festival of rain and good harvest, has begun in Bhaktapur district from today. The eight-day-long festival of religious and cultural significance is observed with much fanfare, especially among the Newar communities in the district.
The festival begins from Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi after a towering wooden pole (lingo) signifying the Lord of rain Indra is installed in every town of Bhaktapur city. The Lingo is called Yambo:Dho in the Nepal Bhasa.
A number of ceremonies are organised during this festival, including Lakhe naach and Pulu Kisi procession. The chariot procession, a major part of the festival, involves pulling of a big chariot of Kumari and two smaller chariots of Ganesh and Bhairab along the thoroughfares of the city.
The tradition has it that the head of the state visits and worships the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab during the festival. Cultural expert Om Dhaubhadel stated that this festival is being marked to celebrate the victory of the gods over the demons to release Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra.
This festival is also marked in Kavrepalanchowk and Dolakha districts. Indra Jatra, the main day of the festival, falls on Bhadra Shukla Chathurdashi, the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra as per the lunar calendar.
