Are you ready for Indra Jatra?

This week Kathmandu celebrates Indra Jatra — the chariot festival presided over by none other than the Living Goddess Kumari.

Locally known as Yenyā, the festival dedicated to the god of rain Indra, is marked with much enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus and Buddhists alike in Kathmandu Valley, and is celebrated for eight days with singing, dancing and feasting.

Ritual dances — featuring masked demons, gods and goddesses are performed in various parts of the Valley. Kathmandu’s famous Lakhey dancers are also part of the chariot procession.

Monika Deupala on Monday was in Basantapur to capture glimpses of the first day of the annual festival.

A Nepali Times video of last year's Indra Jatra

Read also: 

Prepping for Indra Jatra

When Indra was caught stealing, Desmond Doig

  • Most read