President Paudel observes Indrajatra cultural festival

KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel visited Gaddi Baithak at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square on Saturday to observe the cultural and historical festival of Indrajatra.

He walked from Juddha Salik on New Road to Gaddi Baithak in Basantapur Durbar. Since 2080 BS, he has travelled on foot from Juddha Salik to Gaddi Baithak to observe the festival.

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal, Deputy Prime Ministers Prakash Man Singh and Bishnu Prasad Paudel, ministers, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, MPs, provincial assembly members, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah and diplomatic and local-government representatives also reached Gaddi Baithak on foot.

At the ceremony, President Paudel gave permission for the procession of Shri Ganesh, Shri Bhairav and Shri Kumari by offering garlands and monetary offerings to their chariots. The chariot processions were then initiated in Tallo Tole on Saturday.

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Photo: Sanjay Maharjan/Media9

Saturday marked the main day of the week-long Indrajatra festival, which began on Thursday morning with the raising of the Indradhwaj in the Hanumandhoka Palace area on Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi. The festival’s chariot event moves to Upper Tole today.

Only women will pull the chariot in the Nanicha procession on Thursday, September 11. On Thursday evening, Paudel will return to Hanumandhoka Durbar to receive 'tika' and 'prasad' from the 'Living Goddess Kumari,' after which it is traditional for the head of state to exchange a sword with her.

The festival will conclude with the pulling down of the Indradhwaj at 10:32 pm on September 11. After the lowering of the pole, local residents traditionally drag it to the banks of the Bagmati River at Teku Dobhan for immersion, according to the head of the Department of Religious and Cultural Heritage.