KATHMANDU: President Ram Baran Yadav paid homage to Living Goddess Kumari at a special event held at Basantapur today to mark the Indrajatra festival. The President also paid obeisance and offered Dakshina to Gods Ganesh and Bhairav, as the chariots carrying the living Goddess and Gods were paraded in front of the visiting dignitaries. Also present on the occasion were Vice-President Paramananda Jha, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha, Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam, ministers, heads of constitutional bodies and diplomats. The event this year was held from a makeshift tent as the Basantapur Durbar veranda, which used to host the dignitaries, was damaged in the recent earthquake, according to coordinator of the event Gautam Shakya. A large number of onlookers including foreign tourists were present at the event that included traditional music and dances like the Lakhe Naach. Indrajatra is observed every year by paying homage to Lord Indra, who is revered since ancient times as the god of rain and good times. Separate events are held to mark this festival for eight days in Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Dolakha and other places across the country.