Kathmandu’s famous Indra Jatra has started today.

This traditional cultural Jatra is celebrated for eight days, starting every year on the day of Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi in Hanumandhoka of Kathmandu. JATRA starts by worshipping Indra and ritually hoisting a lingo(ritual tree trunk) with the ritual flag on top of it.

It can be seen that the method of Jatra celebration is also changing gradually as the generations pass over time. There are various stories about the beginning of Jatra in Nepali society. On the occasion of Indra Jatra, between Marusattal and Silyansattah in Marutol, a tall DABALI is built on top of four lions, and it is considered a symbol of Indra’s regime power. Indra Jatra is called ‘Yen Ya:’ in NEPAL BHASHA. ”Yen” means Kantipur city and ”Ya” means the main Jatra. During Indra Jatra, all the deities related to Indrajatra are also brought out for public display.

The Manandhar community has a tradition of picking up a lingo of 32 cubits length brought from the forest at Chitpol in Bhaktapur. In Hanumandho’s Durbar area, the lingo is ritually placed in front of the statue of Kalbhairav. The lingo is hoisted by firing cannons with traditional instruments, Guruju’s paltan and mangaldhun.

Indra is considered as the god of rain and season. The place of origin of this festival celebrated by the Newar community is considered to be Hanumandhoka palace area. This festival is celebrated for eight days by playing various instruments, dancing, singing and riding a chariot. Mainly the people of Newar community from Kathmandu,Bhaktapur and Lalitpur celebrate this occasion.