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Indra Jatra celebrated

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By the time clock struck 12pm on Wednesday, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square at Basantapur was already buzzing with excitement.

The plinths of the historic monuments within the palace square were already occupied by hundreds of people, who arrived there early to watch preparations going on over there for celebrating Indra Jatra, the biggest street festival celebrated for the eight consecutive days in Kathmandu.

With still few hours to go before the beginning of the chariot festival, the hordes of people gathered in the square showed no sign of impatience in their faces.Among them was a 73-year-old woman from Teku.

Despite her old age, Baisnabi Poudel came to Basantapur unaccompanied, but did not seem bored. “I have been observing the jatra since I was merely five years old. I really enjoy the chariot procession during Indra Jatra,” she said.

Though her family members had insisted her not to go to the palace as she was old, she walked to the historical palace right after she had her lunch. “I arrived here to take a glimpse of the living goddess Kumari. The jatra allows me to relive my childhood memory with my father,” she quipped.

Members of Yenya Dinhu (Indra Jatra) Steering Committee formed to host the Jatra decorated the three chariots -- two small chariots for Ganesh and Bhairab, and the big one for the living goddess, Kumari.

Soon after a saba bhakku dance began. Three individuals putting wooden masks, worn to give them the appearance of Bhagwati, danced to the tune of traditional music. Similarly, it was followed by other forms of ethic dances.

Ujjawal Bajjracharrya, a resident of Basantapur, informed the dances indicated that the procession was about to begin.With the arrival of President Ram Baran Yadav, the wait for the hundreds of thousands of devotees assembled in the area was over.

The three chariots, carrying the Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab, went around different places of the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square like Basantapur to Jaisideval, Lagan, Bramha Tole, Hyumat, Kwahiti, Wangdenarayan, Maru Tole and back to Basantapur.

Around hundreds of people pulled the chariot which showed their faith toward the Indra Jatra, one of the traditional and important festivals of the country. Meanwhile, thousands of people, including aged people, tourists, children, came to watch the chariot pulling procession. People were present on both sides of the routes of the chariot in order to worship the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairab.

 Along with the worship, people also distributed Samayabaji, traditional newari food item, at different places, which is made up of different ingredients, to all the devotees who were present during chariot processing.

“Samayabaji is distributed on this day as Prasad (Auspicious thing),”said Rajesh Prajapati, president of Jaisideval Youth Club. “And it will be distributed until the last day of the festival.”

The third day of Indra Jatra is considered as the most important day as on this day people get a chance to see and worship the living Goddess Kumari when a chariot carrying her is pulled.

“During 17th century, Kumari Rath Yatra was added in the Indra Jatra,” said Govind Tandon, culture expert. “There are different mythologies regarding this festival so the actual history of this festival is still undefined today.”

According to Tandan, Lord Indra descended to the earth to fetch jasmine flower which was not allowed to do. While plucking the flowers, he was caught by the locals. Then, as a punishment, he was tied to a pole and put in display for public.

 Later, his mother came down and requested the locals to release her son. Then the locals released him. After that, locals began to celebrate the eight-day long Indra Jatra festival.

“This was only one myth, people have different interpretations about this festival,” said Tandan.

source: republica,18 Sept 2013

photo: republica