Kathmandu, Sept 25: President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday observed the Indrajatra celebrations at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square. He reached Gaddi Baithak from Juddha Salik on foot before observing the celebrations of the historic and cultural festival of Kathmandu.
The Head of State decided to discontinue the tradition of travelling to the Gaddi Baithak on a vehicle three years ago and started walking up there from the area around Judda Salik.
Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, acting Prime Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, National Assembly (NA) Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, ministers, lawmakers, Province Assembly (PA) members, chiefs of constitutional bodies, chiefs and representatives of diplomatic missions in Nepal and local people’s representatives were also present on the occasion.
Officiating mayor at Kathmandu Metropolis, Sunita Dangol, Guthi Sansthan chair Dr Govinda Tandan, administrator Shailesh Raj Kunwar and Kathmandu Metropolis-24 chair Binod Kumar Rajbhandari among others welcomed the distinguished guests including the President to the Basantapur Square.
The President made monetary offerings to the chariots of deities Shree Ganesh, Shree Bhairav and Shree Kumari.
The Indrajatra festival began on Wednesday of Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi with the performance of Indradhwojatthan ritual in which a sacred wooden pole is erected ceremonially.
As part of the festival, Nanicha Yatra will be observed on Tuesday, September 29, by pulling the chariot exclusively by women. In the evening same day, the President will again visit Hanuman Dhoka Palace to receive tika and prasad from the Kumari, living goddess. As per the established tradition, the Head of State will exchange a sword with the Kumari after receiving the tika and prasad from her. The eight-day festival concludes the same at 9:25 am with the lowering of the Indra Dhwoj (ceremonial pole).
The sacred pole (Indra Dhwoj) will be taken to the banks of the Bagmati River at Teku Dobhan, where it will be ritually immersed.
Indrajatra, one of the major cultural festivals of the Kathmandu Valley, is about the worshipping of Indra, the Hindu deity of rain and good harvest. It is believed that the festival originated during the reign of King Pratap Malla, while the tradition of the chariot procession was introduced by King Gunakamadev.
A public holiday was given in the Kathmandu Valley on Friday to mark the cultural festival.
