17/09/2024
Happy Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra, also known as Yenya, is a significant festival celebrated by the Newar community in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Lord Indra, the king of heaven, descended to earth disguised as a mortal to steal parijat flowers for his mother, Vasundhara. Indra’s mother needed these flowers to perform a puja (worship) and Indra, being a mischievous god, decided to sneak into a garden in Maru Tole, Kathmandu, to steal them. However, he was caught by the locals and paraded through the streets, with his hands tied, as a punishment.
Indra’s mother, Vasundhara, descended to earth, anxious about her son’s disappearance. She revealed her true identity and Indra’s mischievous act to the locals. The people, embarrassed and delighted by the unexpected visit, celebrated with feasts and processions. As Indra’s mother prepared to leave, she asked the locals for a boon, which was granted. This marked the beginning of the Indra Jatra festival.
Today, Indra Jatra is celebrated for eight days, from the 12th day of the bright fortnight to the 4th day of the dark fortnight of Yanlā (the 11th month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar). The festival features various masked dances, including the Aakash Bhairav naach, and processions of the Kumari, Bhairav, and Ganesh chariots. The Indradhvaja, a national flag, is also raised during the festival.
While the Kathmandu version of Indra Jatra is the most well-known, Bhaktapur, another ancient Newar city, has its own unique traditions and variations. The festival is celebrated with masked dances, including the towering thing, and the ritual of the death procession. The procession ends at Ta: Pukhu (Shiddhapokhari), a manmade pond in Bhaktapur, which was once called Indra Daha.
In summary, Indra Jatra is a festival that celebrates the descent of Lord Indra to earth, his mother’s intervention, and the subsequent evolution of the festival over time. The festival is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Newar community in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, Nepal.
