The Indra Jatra Festival- Yanya Punhi (Festival in Nepal)

The Indra Jatra Festival is a 8 day special celebration in Kathmandu, very special to the Newari communities. The festival is celebrated to thank Lord Indra for the rain. Another belief is that it is a festival to worship Lord Bhairav, who is the re-incarnation of Lord Shiva. The festival falls in September (this year, the festival day in on 5th September 2017).

Display of Kumari, the living goddess

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.

  Display of Swet Bhairav's Image (It is displayed just once a year, at the day of Indra Jatra)

The erected Linga and the decorated temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square

Newari youths enjoying the cultural dance with musical instruments

Mask Dance in Drums' Music in Indra Jatra Festival (Kantipur)