Indra Jatra Festival The Festival of Classical Dances

Indra Jatra Festival

The Festival of Classical Dances

Hindus and Buddhists, both communities come together to celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra. Indra Jatra is a delightful festival of classical dances. Numerous varieties of traditional dances can be observed on the occasion this festival. Name of the festival goes after Lord Indra who is the god of rain and also as the king of heaven according to Hindu mythology.

Fast Facts

Month	August/September
Reason of Celebration	To appease Hindu god Indra
Period of Celebration	8 days
Famous For	Classical and masked dances perfomed
Special Events	Procession of Living Goddess Mahakali and Mahalaxmi with Dasha Avatara

Celebration
Given below is information regarding what rituals take place on each of the day.

Day 1-2
A long wooden pole is placed in front of the Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra. Classical dancers also gather at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional attires. They dance around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate God Indra's arrival.

Day 3-6
On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari ventures out in a chariot in the procession. Kumari, is said to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav move around the city for three days. According to Hindu faith Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is believed has the head of an elephant. Bhairav is one of the forms of Lord Shiva.

Day 7
The King of Nepal, the only Hindu monarch in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. Intriguing dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, in the neighborhood of the Kumari Temple. 'Dasha Avataras' are also enacted by the artists. The 'Dasha Avataras' refer to the ten incarnations of Hindu Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindus' Holy trinity, the supreme powers.

Comments

Nepal Culture

Nepal Culture Nepal is blessed with one of the richest cultures in the world. Culture has been called 'the way of life for an entire society'. The statement holds particularly true in case of Nepal where every aspect of life, food, clothing and even occupations are culturally guided. The culture of Nepal includes the codes of manners, dress, language, rituals, norms of behavior and systems of belief. Nice To Know » The culture of Nepal is a unique combination of tradition and novelty. The traditions are followed as they were and new customs are created to keep pace with the changing times. » Culture in Nepal is an assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. » The mountain kingdom of Nepal is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu,Yadav, Ahir, Newars and others. Nepal Hospitality Nepalese are among the most hospitable hosts. This is the reason for which tourists from far and wide enjoy coming to Nepal time and a...

Nepal Tourist Attractions

Nepal Tourist Attractions Let the Thrill Begin... Nepal is a land of assortment. Variance lies everywhere. You will have adventure, religion, architecture and heritage on the same platter. Come let us visit some of the major tourist destinations of Nepal. Adventure sites Annapurna Sanctuary, Mount Everest trekking route and Royal Chitwan National Park World Heritage sites Bhaktapur Durbar square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Changunarayan temple, Royal Chitwan National Park and Pashupatinath Temple Holy/Architectural sites Bodhnath Stupa, Hanuman Dhoka, Syambunath Adventurous Sites/ Hiking Treks Mount Everest Trekking Route Visitors dream of trekking to the foot of the world's highest peak Mt. Everest, called Sagarmatha in Nepali language, located in the Khumbu region of east Nepal. The region includes upper catchments area of the Dudha Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. The area is largely composed of the rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas ranging from 5,800m to the...

Kathmandu Durbar Square A Cluster of Temples and Palaces

Kathmandu Durbar Square A Cluster of Temples and Palaces Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City. The Palace Complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels an. It houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. Fast Facts Location Kathmandu Significance UNESCO World Heritage Site UNESCO Category Cultural Built In 16th and 17th centuries Major Attractions Taleju Temple and Hanuman Dhoka Major Attractions Taleju Temple The temple is a famous Hindu and Jain religious site. The three-tiered temple is the first to be erected wit...

About Nepal

Search This Blog