Nepalese 'living goddess' embarks on Kathmandu tour

Sep 10, 2022

Kathmandu (Nepal), Sep 10 (ANI): Thousands of devotees thronged into the premises of Basantapur Durbar Square on the occasion of Indra Jatra, one of the biggest religious festivals in Kathmandu with fervour and gaiety. Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the festival of the Rain God, Lord Indra, is celebrated with the ascension of three living deities in form of humans on three different chariots, which tour the city for one week starting from Bhadra Shukla Chaturdashi of Nepali month of Bhadra. Lord Indra, the Hindu God of rain and good harvest, is worshipped for eight days, which starts with the erection of Ya: Shi, a sacred wooden pole on the premises of Kathmandu Durbar Square. On the fourth day of the festival, the living Goddess Kumari along with Lord Ganesha and Bhairab ascended over a chariot, which then tours around the city. This becomes the main attraction of most of the revellers who throng the premises of the former Royal Palace. Right before the ascension of the trio of living Gods and Goddesses on a chariot, religious and cultural events of singing hymns, mask dance, and beating traditional drums as well as musical instruments are performed. Legends say that the Indra Jatra festival is observed to celebrate the victory of the Gods over the Demons to free Jayanta, the son of Lord Indra.