KATHMANDU: The chariot processions of the living Goddess Kumari, Lord Ganesh and Lord Bhairav are to start today around the city.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari will observe the chariot processions at the Basantapur Durbar Square.

The chariots, like last year, would be pulled during the daytime because the routes of the chariot procession have not been fully reconstructed after the 2015 earthquake.

Indra Jatra that started from Tuesday is one of the biggest street festivals celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley. The festival is celebrated in Kavre and Dolakha also.

The  festival began with the erection of lingo (a sacred wooden pole) at Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur Durbar Square.

The festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and rejoicing along with other rituals.

Indra Jatra festival falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadra as per the lunar calendar.

Indra, the god of rain, is worshiped in this festival primarily celebrated by the Newar communities following both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Legends said that the Indra Jatra festival is observed to celebrate the victory of the gods over the demons to release Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra.