KATHMANDU, Nepal. Nepal’s vibrant festival season began on Tuesday, as tens of thousands of devotees gathered in Kathmandu to celebrate the revered tradition of the Indra Jatra festival. The festivities were highlighted by the sight of a young girl, worshipped as a living goddess, paraded through the streets in a grand wooden chariot.
This sacred festival marks the beginning of Nepal’s months-long celebration season, which draws locals and visitors alike to Kathmandu’s historic streets. Families gathered at shrines to light incense and offer prayers for the dead, while men and boys donned colorful masks and costumes representing Hindu deities, dancing to the rhythm of traditional music and drums.
Indra Jatra: A Celebration of Rain and Renewal
The Indra Jatra festival, one of Nepal’s oldest cultural traditions, celebrates the end of the monsoon season and the completion of rice farming, signaling the arrival of autumn. Primarily observed by the Newar community, the indigenous people of Kathmandu, it is a tribute to Indra, the Hindu god of rain. The festival is also known as the celebration of deities and demons, a reflection of the rich mythology interwoven into the local culture.
One of the most captivating elements of the festival is the performance of masked dancers, who embody various Hindu gods and spirits. Depending on the intensity of their movements, these dancers can inspire awe, evoke fear, or entertain the thousands of onlookers who line the narrow streets of the capital.
Honoring the Living Goddess Kumari
A central figure of the Indra Jatra festival is Kumari, a young girl who is believed to be a living incarnation of the goddess Taleju. Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists, Kumari holds a unique position in Nepalese culture. On Tuesday, she left her palace temple and was carried through the heart of Kathmandu in a wooden chariot, surrounded by cheering devotees who eagerly awaited her blessing.
Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Poudel, along with other officials and diplomats, attended the event, underscoring the cultural and spiritual significance of Kumari in Nepalese society.
The weeklong Indra Jatra is just the beginning of Nepal’s festival season. Following this celebration, the country will prepare for Dasain, the most important festival in Nepal, and Tihar, also known as Diwali, the festival of lights, which takes place in November. As the season progresses, the streets of Kathmandu will continue to echo with music, dance, and the vibrant spirit of celebration, showcasing the deep-rooted traditions that define Nepal’s cultural heritage.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
