LIVING GODDESS KUMARI III INDRA JATRA 2081 II KATHAMANDU

Indra Jatra Festival is an important festival celebrated, particularly in Nepal. This annual festival lasts for 8 days and starts from the 12th day of the waxing moon to the 4th day of the waning moon, according to the lunar calendar. Indra Jatra Festival 2024 is celebrated from September 10th to September 17th.
The festival is celebrated to honor Lord Indra, the Hindu god of rain. According to Hindu mythology, the lord Indra, impersonated as a human, descended to Earth to collect a sacred flower for his mother, Aditi. The locals thought he was a thief and captured him. After the locals knew that he was a god, he was released in a promise to provide adequate rainfall for good harvests. This Indra Jatra story in Nepal is popular and is the reason behind this festival of celebrations.
The festival of Indra Jatra in Kathmandu is celebrated with huge joy and includes activities like the erection of the flagpole (Yosin Thanegu), chariot processions, masked dances, the burial of the deceased, the ending ceremony, and so on. These activities attract a large number of tourists and locals.
The Indra Jatra Festival in Kathmandu is primarily celebrated by the Newari community of Kathmandu Valley. The festival is deeply rooted in Newari cultural and religious practices. The Indra jatra is also celebrated by the newari community in Sikkim, India. The festival is observed by other Nepalese communities.
When is Indra Jatra celebrated?
Generally, the indra jatra is celebrated in Nepal from the 12th day of the waxing moon and continues until the 4th day of the waning moon in the lunar calendar. According to the gregorial calendar, the indra jatra date of celebration is from September 10th to September 17th, 2024.
Who started the Indra Jatra in Nepal?
There are no specific individuals to be credited for the starting Indra Jatra. The earliest celebration was done during the reign of Lichhavu dynasty. However, the Indra Jatra in Nepal is believed to have been standardized during the reign of the Malla Kings. The modern practice of establishing the Indra dhwaja is linked to ancient traditions. The first recorded celebrations of indra jatra began to take shape during the Malla period, around the 12th and 18th centuries.
Mythological belief and connection with Lord Indra
There are lots of stories that tell the origin of the Indra Jatra festival in Nepal. The festival has deep roots in ancient mythology. According to the locals, the Lord Indra, the Hindu god of rain and heaven, descended to Earth to retrieve sheaves of rice that had been stolen from heaven by local farmers.
He was captured by locals when they found him. His mother descend from heaven to rescue him. In return, she promises the people that their crops will receive sufficient dew in the winter in exchange for his release. So, from this day on, the celebration started as a form of gratitude for the rains essential for farming.
Historical Background of Indra Jatra
The history of Indra Jatra is huge, dating back to the Lakhavi and Malla dynasties. It is said that the earliest record of Indra Jatra were made in almost 2,000 years to the Licchavi dynasty rule. Thereafter, the Malla kings standardized their rituals during the medieval era with patronage. The celebrations expanded in the 19th century as the shah dynasty pronounced Kumari processions as an official annual event at the day.
Legends also says that indra jatra history is linked with King Gunakamadeva. The king initiated this grand festival to thank Lord Indra for providing much-needed rainfall to end a severe drought. The actual incorporation of the Kumari Jatra into the festival occurred later, around the 18th century, under King Jay Prakash Malla
Main Rituals and Activities
The indra jatra festival is celebrated by performing various rituals and activities. There are various rituals and activities performed, like Yosin or Linga Erection, Kumari Jatra: Masked Dances, Indra's Capture, and so on.
Kumari Jatra
Kumari jatra is an important part of the Indra jatra festival in Kathmandu. This event began in 1756 AD, during the reign of King Jaya Prakash malla. The main part of the goddess Kumari jatra is a grand chariot procession featuring three intricately designed chariots carrying human entations of the deities Ganesh, Bhairava, and Kumari.
The chariot procession lasts three days. On the first day, the chariots go throughthe southern part of the city. On the second and third day, the chariot passes through the northern and central part of the city, respectively. The rituals and traditions incorporated with Kumari Jatra are:
Mata Biye: Offering butter lamps to honor deceased family members
Dagin Procession: Re-enacting the tale of Indra's mother searching for her lost son
Bau Mata- featuring a long representation of a holy snake made of reeds, adorned with oil lamps