Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra
It is a well known fact that Hinduism and Buddhism are the two major religions of Nepal, each having it's own rules and rituals. However, like most festivals of Nepal, both Hindus and Buddhist unite to celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra. This festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists with great enthusiasm. It is also believed that Indra Jatra is a festival of classical dances. It is on this very day when one is able to observe numerous varieties of traditional dances. The festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as the god of rain and also as the king of heaven. The festival of Indra Jatra continues for eight days with much rejoicing, singing, dancing and feasting. People from all over Nepal, mostly those who live within the Kathmandu Valley, gather at the Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. The first day of the festival is viewed by a large number of people. On that day, a long wooden pole is erected in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra, the"god of rain". Classical dancers also assemble at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional masks and costumes and dancing around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit.
On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. "Kumari", the "living goddess", is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess "Taleju". Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days. According to Hindu beliefs Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati who has a head of an elephant and Bhairav is another form of Lord Shiva himself.
The king of Nepal, the only Hindu king in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. The festival's many interesting dances, including the Procession of Living Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.
On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. "Kumari", the "living goddess", is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess "Taleju". Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days. According to Hindu beliefs Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati who has a head of an elephant and Bhairav is another form of Lord Shiva himself.
The king of Nepal, the only Hindu king in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. The festival's many interesting dances, including the Procession of Living Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.
Ghoda Jatra
According to legend, the people of Kathmandu defeated an evil demon by burying it on the site that is now the Tundikhel Showgrounds. It is said that unless the ground is trampled on by horses each year, the demon will rise again wreaking a terrible vengeance on the people. Thus, each year the Ghode Jatra horse festival sees horses and riders from the Nepalese army perform incredible stunts and riding exhibitions at the showground. Other events include motorcycle displays, cultural performances and gymnastic demonstrations.
Ghodejatra or the festival of horse is held on-the fourteenth of the dark half of the Chaitra (sometime in March or April). The festival has two sides of its celebration. Its cultural side involves the Newars of Kathmandu who celebrate it for several days. The idols of the gods of many localities are taken in a procession in their area in portable chariots. Every household is feasting at this time. A demon called 'Gurumumpa' is also propitiated at this time in Tundikhel. This festival is called Pahachare. The other aspect of the festival is provided by
the function organised by the Royal Nepalese Army at Tundikhel in the afternoon of the main day. Horse race and acrobatic shows are presented at this time in which His Majesty the King is present. A meeting of Lumadi, Bhadrakali, Kankeshwari and Bhairav takes place during the day time at the main celebration at Ason. The deities are brought in their portable chariots. The same festival is repeated at night in Tundikhel.
Venue name: Tundikhel parade ground
Ghodejatra or the festival of horse is held on-the fourteenth of the dark half of the Chaitra (sometime in March or April). The festival has two sides of its celebration. Its cultural side involves the Newars of Kathmandu who celebrate it for several days. The idols of the gods of many localities are taken in a procession in their area in portable chariots. Every household is feasting at this time. A demon called 'Gurumumpa' is also propitiated at this time in Tundikhel. This festival is called Pahachare. The other aspect of the festival is provided by
the function organised by the Royal Nepalese Army at Tundikhel in the afternoon of the main day. Horse race and acrobatic shows are presented at this time in which His Majesty the King is present. A meeting of Lumadi, Bhadrakali, Kankeshwari and Bhairav takes place during the day time at the main celebration at Ason. The deities are brought in their portable chariots. The same festival is repeated at night in Tundikhel.
Venue name: Tundikhel parade ground
Yanya Punhi
Yanya Punhi falls in the end of Bhadra (August/September). Both Hindus and Buddhists unite to celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra with great enthusiasm. It is one of the festivals of classical dances. It is on this very day when one is able to observe numerous varieties of traditional dances.The festival is dedicated to Lord Indra; the king of heaven.This is a week long festival that starts after erection of Yosin, a ceremonal pole.An idol of Indra is displayed at various places. Indra's hands are seen tied up by rope just like those of thieves.Although he looks like a thief, people do not hate him, instead the idol is worshipped because Indra admitted his sin and blessed the city.
According to legend, Lord Indra came to Kathmandu disguised as an ordinary man and tried to steal a special flower called "Parijat" for his mother. Local tantriks, with their power of tantras caught him red handed and bound his hands. Later, after he confessed his sin and made ready to bless the city, he was released. And, people began to celebrate the Indra Jatra festival.
On the first day, the president of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari.The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of kathmandu during this festival. Many processions take place in this festival. The main attraction of this festival is the procession of chariots and masked dancers representing deities and demons.Mainly in this procession following takes part:
According to legend, Lord Indra came to Kathmandu disguised as an ordinary man and tried to steal a special flower called "Parijat" for his mother. Local tantriks, with their power of tantras caught him red handed and bound his hands. Later, after he confessed his sin and made ready to bless the city, he was released. And, people began to celebrate the Indra Jatra festival.
On the first day, the president of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari.The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of kathmandu during this festival. Many processions take place in this festival. The main attraction of this festival is the procession of chariots and masked dancers representing deities and demons.Mainly in this procession following takes part:
Majipa Lakhey
Majipa Lakhey is a special Lakhey. He is also known as the peaceful Bhairav. The dance of this lakhey takes place only in the week of full moon of Yenlaa month of Nepal Sambat. This lakhey is considered to be the protector of the children in Kathmandu. The Lakhe dancer wears a mask with a scary face and has red hair. He runs and dances recklessly around the city during the festival and is also supported by a man holding a flaming torch and a musical band
According to stories passed down the generaions, a lakhey is supposed to have fallen love with a girl from Majipa.So, the demon takes form of a human and enters the city to see his beloved. Upon knowing the fact that the person is a lakhey, the people capture the lakhey and present him to the king. The king makes a proposal to the demon that he will grant him a place in the city if he vows to preserve the childern from other demons and participate in the annual Yanyaa Punhi Jatra.The Lakhey agrees and is supposed to reside in majipa ever since.
According to stories passed down the generaions, a lakhey is supposed to have fallen love with a girl from Majipa.So, the demon takes form of a human and enters the city to see his beloved. Upon knowing the fact that the person is a lakhey, the people capture the lakhey and present him to the king. The king makes a proposal to the demon that he will grant him a place in the city if he vows to preserve the childern from other demons and participate in the annual Yanyaa Punhi Jatra.The Lakhey agrees and is supposed to reside in majipa ever since.
Tanakisi
Pulukisi
The hollow painted elephant. Three people go inside an elephant costume and start their journey in a wild way accompanied by a man holding a flaming torch and a musical band. The Pulukisi appears once in a year during this festival from Kilagal.All the local people basically children are very happy to see the dance of the pulukisi. Many of local persons also do worship pulukisi as regarding as the ganesh god.
The hollow painted elephant. Three people go inside an elephant costume and start their journey in a wild way accompanied by a man holding a flaming torch and a musical band. The Pulukisi appears once in a year during this festival from Kilagal.All the local people basically children are very happy to see the dance of the pulukisi. Many of local persons also do worship pulukisi as regarding as the ganesh god.
Kumari Jatra
Three chario ts of Ganesh, Bhairab and Kumari is pulled around
Kathmandu during the Yanya Punhi in series wise.It is said that the
chariots of ganesh and Bhairab is taken for the protection of Kumari
god. Kumari is considered to be only one living goddess in Nepal, the
bodily incarnation of Taleju Bhawani.She is a Hindu goddess but Kumari
is represented by a Buddhist girl of the Shakya, a clan within the Newar
community. A chariot carrying Kumari is pulled around Kathmandu during
Indra Jatra. The tradition was started by the last Malla King of
Kathmandu, Jaya Prakash Malla.
Along with above processions festivals, including the Procession of Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity
Gigantic mask of Aakash Bairab represented by a massive mask spouting beer and liquor is also displayed in this festival. Households throughout Kathmandu display images and sculptures of Indra and Bhairab only at this time of year.After the chariots of godess are pulled around the Kathmandu, people moves towards the mask to have drop of beer and liqor spouted throught that mask as (prasad) of Asak bhairab
This festival is also observed by the Newars as a day to remember the family members who passed away during the past year by offering small oil lamps along a traditional route covering all the parts of the old city. It is believed to have been started during the reign of Mahendra Malla.The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures
Along with above processions festivals, including the Procession of Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity
Gigantic mask of Aakash Bairab represented by a massive mask spouting beer and liquor is also displayed in this festival. Households throughout Kathmandu display images and sculptures of Indra and Bhairab only at this time of year.After the chariots of godess are pulled around the Kathmandu, people moves towards the mask to have drop of beer and liqor spouted throught that mask as (prasad) of Asak bhairab
This festival is also observed by the Newars as a day to remember the family members who passed away during the past year by offering small oil lamps along a traditional route covering all the parts of the old city. It is believed to have been started during the reign of Mahendra Malla.The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures
Dashain
Dashain is the biggest festival in Nepal. It is considered as the victory of truth over the evil and is celebrated by all the Nepalis living in this country. Several people living outside the country also celebrate this festival. Elders or the superiors put tika (red in color) on the forehead of the youngers and give them blessings. Dashain is all together celebrated for 15 days. The first day of Dashain is called Ghatasthapana. In this day, people plant the jamara (can me maize, wheat). The another remarkable day is 7th day. It is called "FULPATI". In this day, the fulpati is brought from the Gorkha Durbar to the Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka. The eight day of dashain is called "Aasthami"(meaning eighth in Nepali). People give the sacrifice to the animals such as goat, buffalo, duck, hen in the name of Goddess Durga. The vegeterian people take coconut as a repalcement of sacrifice to Goddess Durga. The ninth day is called "NAWAMI" (meaning ninth day in Nepali). In this day also people give sacrifice to the animals. People go to the temples of Durga Bhawani and other GOd and Goddess during the fifteen days to show their faith in God. The tenth day of the Dashain is considered as the most important day of the festival. The tenth day is called "VIJAYA DASHAMI" (vijaya meaning victory and dashami meaning the tenth in Nepali). The day is called vijaya because we celebrate this festival as the victory of the truth over the evil and victory of goodness over sin. In this day, we take tika from our elders and take blessing from them. Red tika and jamara that is planted on Ghatasthapana is put on the forehead of the youngers as a representation of the blessing. In this day, people travel to all of their relatives to take tika from their elders. In fact, this festival also gives the chance to Nepalese people to come in touch with their relatives and have a good time. People play cards, ping (swing) , kauda (kind of gambling game) to celebrate this festival.
Kojagrat Purnima
On the "Kalratri ", Kumari is taken to the Taleju temple and realeased in courtyard where there are lots of slaughtered goats, buffaloes, chickens etc.
The eleventh day of the festival is called "Ekadasi"(meaning 11th ). Ekadasi is normally considered to be the day where people normally do not eat meat, fish, eggs. But on this very day, people can eat meat and fish. It is the only "EKADASI" in the whole year when the people who believe in Hindu religion can eat meat. People take tika and blessing from the 10th day to the 15th day and travel long distances to take tika from their relatives. The 14th day of the Dashain is called "KOJAGRAT PURNIMA". In this day people become awake whole night and sing bhajans of God. The 15th day is called "Purnima" and it is the last day of the Festival.
The eleventh day of the festival is called "Ekadasi"(meaning 11th ). Ekadasi is normally considered to be the day where people normally do not eat meat, fish, eggs. But on this very day, people can eat meat and fish. It is the only "EKADASI" in the whole year when the people who believe in Hindu religion can eat meat. People take tika and blessing from the 10th day to the 15th day and travel long distances to take tika from their relatives. The 14th day of the Dashain is called "KOJAGRAT PURNIMA". In this day people become awake whole night and sing bhajans of God. The 15th day is called "Purnima" and it is the last day of the Festival.
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