Indra Jatar & Kumari Jatra, also known as the procession of king of the gods and Kumari, respectively.
When is it celebrated?
The eight day festival formally begins on the twelfth day of the waxing moon in September. On the night this festival begins, members of the family in which death has taken place within one year go round the town limits of Kathmandu burning incense and putting lamps along the routes.
In the morning of the first day of the festival, the priests and the court astrologers direct people to erect the huge tall pole as the symbol of Indra’s standard in front of the Hunaman Dhoka Palace and worship it.
Soldiers in ancient times get up and other soldiers are also present on the occasion. As the pole is tugged and pulled many guns roar in solute music blares and the excitement of the onlookers reaches fever pitch.
What happens during the Jatra/ Parade?
Idols of Indra are brought from the temples and placed on high scaffolds. Similarly large wooden marks of Vhairava are displayed. Religious dances like Devinach, Majipat Lakh, Vhairava and Bhauju and Mahakali Nach are performed according to the religious rituals.
In the same week, chariots of Gahesh, Vhairava and living Goddess Kumari are hauled in the streets of Kathmandu. The president of the country comes to pay homage to Kumari just before the start of the chariot pulling.
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