Kathmandu, Sept 7 : The Indradhwajatthan ritual took place in the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square area this morning, marking the commencement of the Indrajatra festival.
The event is observed on the 12th
day of the bright half of the month of Bhadau in the lunar calendar each
year.
The ritual of installing a
specially anointed wooden pole called the Indra Dhwaja or 'lingo' was held at
the auspicious hour of 7:17 am as advised by the Nepal Calendar Determination
Committee.
With this, Indrajatra, the cultural
festival that is celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley has formally begun.
The festival majorly will commence
on coming Friday, September 9. The chariot processions of Shree Kumari, Shree
Ganesh, and Shree Bhairav will be held as part of the Indra Jatra festival.
According to Committee executive
director Surya Prasad Dhungel, the auspicious time for pulling down the pole is
7:33 pm on September 14.
The customary tradition is that the
Head of State will visit the Hanumandhoka following bringing down of the
Indradhwaj and receive Prasad.
The celebrations last for eight
days.
Meanwhile, Minister for Culture,
Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, described the festival as the
major cultural attraction of Nepal.
The Minister, who was present at
Hanumandhoka to witness the commencement of the festival, was of the view of
promoting various tangible and intangible cultures and aspects of the area for
touristic purposes.
The festival has its own essence
and significance due to its distinct features, according to the Minister.
Stating that Nepal's culture, customs,
traditions, and lifestyles are unique and capable of catching the hearts and minds
of tourists, the Minister said he plans to come up with a scheme connecting
culture and heritages with tourism for the improvement of people's
livelihood.
During the eight-day festival,
Indra, the Hindu deity of rain and good harvest, is worshipped. (RSS)