Today marks the beginning of Indra Jatra, one of the most significant festivals in the Kathmandu Valley. Celebrated by the Newar community, the festival honors Lord Indra, the deity of rain and prosperity, and is also known as “Yenya Punhi.”
The festival kicks off with the erection of the ceremonial Indradhvaja pole in front of Hanuman Dhoka, signaling the start of eight days of celebrations filled with various dances, chariot processions, and worship of deities. Indra Jatra is regarded as a celebration of strength and power, with the worship of the Indradhvaja symbolizing the gaining of strength for the festival’s displays and rituals.
In addition to Kathmandu, Indra Jatra is celebrated with great enthusiasm in other parts of the valley, including Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, and Dolakha. The main day of the festival falls on Tuesday, September 17th, when the President of Nepal traditionally visits Hanuman Dhoka to pay homage to the deities Ganesh, Bhairav, and the Living Goddess Kumari.
In recognition of the festival’s significance, the government has declared a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley on this day.
