Bhaktapur: The eight-day Indra Jatra festival, known for its religious and cultural significance, commenced in Bhaktapur district on Tuesday. This festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm among the Newar communities in the Kathmandu Valley, also takes place in districts like Kavrepalanchowk and Dolakha.

The main day of the festival, Indra Jatra, falls on Bhadra Shukla Chathurdashi, which is the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra according to the lunar calendar. This year, the main day of the festival is on September 28.

The festival begins on Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi, and on this day, towering wooden poles called "Lingo," symbolizing the Lord of Rain, Indra, are erected in every town of Bhaktapur city. The tradition involves bringing a Lingo from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu and installing it on a chariot at Hanumandhoka at Basatapur Durbar Square.

The festival includes various ceremonies such as the Lakhe naach and Pulu Kisi procession. The chariot procession is a significant part of the festival, featuring the pulling of a large chariot of Kumari (the living goddess) and two smaller chariots of Ganesh and Bhairab along the city's streets. This procession is scheduled for September 27.

During the festival, it is customary for the Head of State to visit and worship the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav.

Indra Jatra has been celebrated since ancient times, and it is said that King Jagat Prakash Malla of Bhaktapur in the 17th century collected Vedic scriptures and other holy texts to develop the culture and tradition of the festivities. The festival aims to maintain peace, order, prosperity, and prevent natural calamities, famine, epidemics, excessive rains, and conflicts among people.

In an effort to promote the dignity of Indra Jatra internationally, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has invited guests from various municipalities in foreign countries with which sister city relations have been established. This year, 22 guests from the USA and China have been invited to participate in the Indra Jatra celebrations.

The festival will conclude on October 2 with the lowering of the Lingo pole.