Indra Jatra Festival in Kathmandu: Venue, Date and History

Indra Jatra, a hugely celebrated festival in the Kathmandu valley, marks a great cultural significance. It is celebrated by the Newari communities in the valley to worship the thanking the Lord of Rain- Indra. A huge mass gathers at the Kathmandu Durbar Square premises and enjoy the festival with musical instruments and mask dance along with the chariot pulling. The festival is celebrated for 8 days.

Main Celebration in a Mass: Kathmandu Durbar Square

Types of Dance:

Bhakku Nach (Dance)

Mahakali Nach (Dance)

Lakhe Nach (Dance)

Das Avatar Nach (Dance)

Pulukisi Nach (Dance)

Indra Jatra Festival is hugely celebrated in Kathmandu Durbar Square, It is a UNESCO listed world heritage site that preserves unlimited cultural property. The historically significant Indra Jatra falls in September and is grandly celebrated by the Newari communities of the Kathmandu valley. Kumari, the virgin Goddess is taken for the tour in Chariot to explore the festival.

Indra Jatra Festival in Details:

Indra Jatra begins after the pole erection (36 feet long pole made from pine tree) in front of Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Durbar Square). The mask display of deity Aakash Bhairav is a rare view on this day. During the festival, chariot of Kumari (the living Goddess) is pulled throughout the main streets of Kathmandu. Along with it, the chariot of Lord Ganesh and Bhairav is taken to the procession. The mask dancers (Lakhe) perform in various places in Kathmandu with the drums. It's partly a form of carnival. Indra Jatra concludes after lowering the pole (linga) with the flag of Indra.