Kathmandu. Indrajatra festival is being celebrated today in a traditional manner, worshipping the god of rain and seasons, Indra.

This festival, which is celebrated every year on the Chaturdashi of Bhadra Shukla, is celebrated with great pomp and show in places like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, Dolakha and other places.

This festival, which lasts for eight days, begins after the Lingo with the Indra flag is erected in front of Hanuman Dhoka on the Dwadashi of Bhadra Shukla. During this period, there is a tradition of various dances, songs, chariot processions and worship of gods and goddesses.

The Indra flag is also called ‘Indradhwajotthan’, at the foot of which it is customary to worship Bhairav. This festival is considered to be celebrated as a victory over enemies and a demonstration of power.

As part of the preparations, a tree touched by a goat is cut and brought to the Chitpol forest in Bhaktapur on the day of Bhadra Shukla Dwitiya according to Tantric rituals. It is kept in a Bhotahiti and a lingo is prepared according to rituals on the day of Ekadashi.

The main attraction of the day will be the chariot procession of the living goddesses Shri Ganesh, Shri Bhairav ​​and Shri Kumari in front of the Gaddi Baithak at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. In the past, the king himself was present to visit this tradition, but now the tradition is for the President to observe.

Throughout the festival, Bhakku dances, Mahakaalinacha, Lakhenacha, Dashavatar dance, as well as Pulukisi dance, symbolizing the elephant Airavata, the vehicle of Indra, are performed. According to religious scholars, there is a religious custom of ‘Indradhwaj Patan’, i.e., the Lingo fight, on the eighth day of the festival, i.e. on the fourth day of Ashwin Krishna.

On this occasion, devotees throng Indradaha in Dahachowk, located in the west of the valley, until Bhadra Shukla Purnima. There is a religious tradition of bathing here while staying awake.

On this day, the festival of ‘Anant Chaturdashi’ is also celebrated by worshipping Anantnath (Lord Vishnu). It is believed that tying a clean thread with the mantra ‘Anant’ on this day will bring good luck throughout the year.

Religious scholars have said that there is a classical system for those who could not chant the mantra of Yajnopavit (Janai) on the full moon day of Shravan to chant it today. According to the committee, it is also customary to observe the fast of Anant Chaturdashi today. (RSS)