Indra Jatra festival

The Indra Jatra festival, also known as Kumari Indra Jatra, is an eight-day traditional event that officially begins in Kathmandu on September 23 with the 'Indradhwajotthan' rituals. These formal events commence with the 'Yansi Thanegu' ceremony, involving the erection of a sacred wooden pole, known as Yansi, near Kalbhairav and the Hanumandhoka Kageshwori Temple. A Dipyankha (Goddess dance) is also performed, with members of the Manandhar community traditionally present.

The festival, which traditionally celebrates victory over enemies, features various traditional dances, chariot processions, and the worship of deities. It is a unique religious and cultural festival of Kathmandu Valley, deeply coordinated with Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the worship of the living goddess Kumari, the establishment of Indradhwoj, and various traditional dances of different deities. The main chariot procession of Indra Jatra is set to begin on September 25, and for the past 14 years, the chariots of Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav have been pulled by local women.

This festival is connected with rain, prosperity, power worship, and community participation. The celebrations conclude on September 30, with a significant tradition on the final day involving the President traditionally receiving tika from Kumari, the living goddess.