KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 25
Guests from the United States of America and China will visit Nepal to observe Indra Jatra, a cultural festival of Kathmandu valley, according to Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Indra Jatra is one of the biggest festivals observed in Kathmandu valley and is deeply connected with the identity of the valley.
The KMC informed about this at a press conference today. "A total of 22 guests from both the countries will visit to participate in the festival," said KMC Spokesperson Nabin Manandhar. "Guests from Fredericksburg city of the US, and Nanjing, Chengdu and Zhengzhou cities of China will come to participate in the event," he added.
"Since 2019, the KMC has been inviting guests from the municipalities in foreign countries with which sister relations have been established with the aim of promoting the dignity of Indra Jatra at the international level. These guests will visit and observe the heritages in Hanuman Durbar Square, Handigaun, Swoyambhu and Bhaktapur Durbar Square," he said. "All guests will arrive on Tuesday," he added.
On the first day of Indra Jatra, participants will encircle the city of Kantipuri to pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls. September 28 is the main day of the festival this year. The management team has made arrangement of special security for that day. On that day, 180 volunteers will be mobilised. Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the municipal police will provide special security.
Keeping in view the risk of fire that may erupt during the festival, a fire engine has also been arranged. On Nanicha Ya:, the last day of the festival on October 2, vehicles will be barred on the premises of Hanuman Dhoka, Pyaphal, Naradevi, Kilagh:, Bhedasingh, Bandh (Indra Chowk) and Makhan area.
According to the programme schedule, erecting a lingo (a wooden pole) will take place on September 26 at 10:37am. Similarly, on September 27, Rathyatra (chariot pulling procession) will take place after worshipping the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav. Similarly, on October 2, the last day of the festival, the lingo will be taken down at 8:37pm.
As per tradition, the head of the state visits and worships the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav during the festival of Indra Jatra. It is believed that the practice of celebrating Indra Jatra started during the reign of King Jaya Prakash Malla.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 26, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
