Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra, commonly known as Yenya is the biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu. In Nepal Bhasa Ye means “Kathmandu” and Ya means “celebration”, together it means “celebration in Kathmandu”. This festival was started by King Gunakamadeva. This festival consists of two events Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. Indra Jatra is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableau in honor of lord Indra(king of heaven). Kumari Jatra is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari. This festival is observed in Kathmandu Durbar Square. The celebrations last for eight days. The festival starts with the erection of wooden pole(Yosin or Linga), known as Yosin Thanegu.
Biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu
MythologyImages
Lord Indra disguised as a farmer and descended to earth in search of flower parijat, a white flower his mother Basundhara needed to perform a ritual. As he was plucking the flowers at Maruhiti, a sunken water spout at Maru, people caught and bound him like a thief. He was then taken around the town and put on display in the town square of Maru in Kathmandu.
His mother, worried about his long absence, then she came to Kathmandu and wandered around looking for him in the city. When the people in the city realized they had captured Lord Indra himself, they were appalled and released him immediately. In appreciation for his release, his mother promised to provide enough dew throughout the winter to ensure a rich crop.
His mother, worried about his long absence, then she came to Kathmandu and wandered around looking for him in the city. When the people in the city realized they had captured Lord Indra himself, they were appalled and released him immediately. In appreciation for his release, his mother promised to provide enough dew throughout the winter to ensure a rich crop.
