www.USNepalOnline.Com: Nepalese News Live from the capital of the world-New York City

News from Nepal & New York

Indra Jatra Celebrated by Maha Raja to President

Inside This:
यस भित्रका खुराकहरु:
संपादकीय Editorial
साताको कुराकानी Interview
साप्‍ताहिक झटारो
हाम्रो बोली
अन्‍रांष्‍ट्रीय खबरहरु
International News
न्‍यूयोर्कमा आगामी कायंक्रमहरु
Upcoming Events in NYC & USA
न्‍यूयोर्क शहरमा एक साँझ
An Evening Out in New York
न्‍यूयोर्कका नेपाली संघ-संस्‍थाहरु
Nepalese Orgs in NYC
न्‍यूयोर्कमा नेपाली ब्‍‍यावसायहरु
Nepalese Business in NYC
अमेरिकामा नेपाली संस्‍थाहरु
Nepalese Orgs in USA
अमेरिकामा नेपाली ब्‍‍यावसायहरु
Nepalese Business in USA
समकालिन साहित्य-रचना
Contemporary Writings
कविता Poetry
मनोरन्जन Entertainment
दोहोरी लोक भाकाहरु सुनौं
Nepalese Folk Music & Dance
पाठक प्रतिकृया Readers' Comments
Audio Archive/Video Archive
नेपालका आदिवासी-जनजातिहरु
Indigenous People of Nepal
प्रवासी नेपाली संस्थाह्‍रू
Nepali Diaspora Orgs
Nepali News Media
नेपाली पत्रपत्रिकाहरू
दैनिक Daily
साप्‍ताहिक Weekly
Monthly & Other Media
Nepali Online Portals
Nepali Radio / F.M. / TV

Indra Jatra celebration in Kathmandu. Photos: Smita

Kathmandu, September 15, 2008- Indra Jatra festival began in the capital valley Kathmandu, Lalitpur Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel and Dolakha among other locations on Sunday, worshipping Lord Indra; the Hindu God the of rain and adequacy.

The festival will continue for eight days with much rejoicing, singing, dancing and feasting.

On the first day, a long wooden pole is erected in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra. Classical dancers assemble at the spot wearing different kinds of masks and dancing around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit.

On the third day of the festival, the Living Goddess or "Kumari" is taken out in a procession in a chariot. Three chariots of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days.

On the last evening of the festival, the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered amid religious ceremonies and animal sacrifices.

For the first time in Nepal, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav as the head of the state observed the traditional festival of Indra Jatra.

In Basantapur, the president offered puja to Kumari and observed the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab on Sunday afternoon.

In past times, before the Jana-Andolan 2062/63, the Shah Kings used to grace the festivals and pay homage to the Kumari during this festival.

Last year, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala attended the festival in his capacity as acting head of the state.

The festival is important in our religiously diversified country as it is celebrated with great enthusiasm by both the Hindus and Buddhists of the Newar indigenous community.

Kal Bhairav. Photos: Smita

The festival's other interesting dances, including the Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Dasha Avatara masked dances, are staged on the plinth of Narayan temple, just opposite the Kumari temple.

Nepali historians believe that Shah Kings followed the tradition of Malla Kings in this festival to ward off any revolution from Newar community after Prithvi Narayan Shah; the first Shah King of modern Nepal who captured the Kathmandu valley in 1825.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

Seto Bhairav. Photos: Smita

Devotees of Kal Bhairav. Photos: Smita

तपाईंको भनाइ लेखी छाड्‍न र अरुको भनाइ पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस्
Please add yours and view our readers' comments at: Guest Book page»