Indra Jatra

The festival Indra Jatra is one of the interesting festival of Nepal. It is celebrated by the two religion Hindus and Buddhist with great enthusiasm.  It is believed that it is festival of classical dances. The festival is named after lord Indra who is known as the god of rain and also as the king of heaven.

This festival contineous for eight days with much rejoicing, singing, and dancing and feasting. People from all over the country mostly from kathmandu valley gatherd at Hanuman  Dhoka. On this day a long wooden pole is erected in the front of the ancient Royal Palace at HanumanDhoka in order to propitiate lord Indra,"The god of Rain". 

In Indra Jatra the living goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. Kumari is known as the incarnation of the goddess "Taleju". The festival many interesting dances, including the procession of living Goddess- Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.