Sindoor Jatra observed in Madhyapur Thimi

By A Staff Reporter.Kathmandu, Apr. 16: The people in Madhyapur Thimi celebrated Sindoor Jatra on Tuesday.

Sindoor Jatra, a traditional festival is marked in Thimi, one of the ancient settlements in Bhaktapur, on the second day of the New Year.

As per the tradition, the festival is observed with music, dance, and the playful sprinkling of vermilion powder among participants. It is called Sindoor Jatra because of use of vermillion powder while marking it. From children to the elderly, people of all ages took part in the celebrations. The roads of Madhyapur Thimi were covered in red as participants joyfully threw sindoor on each other.

Sindoor Jatra is also the biggest festival in Madhyapur Thimi. The vibrant celebration includes carrying the idols of various deities through the city, accompanied by clouds of vermilion powder.

This year, 28 deity palanquins (khat) were paraded on the premises of Balkumari Temple. In earlier times, the festival featured 32 palanquins, but this time, their number was reduced to 28. Traditionally, palanquins from Thimi, Nagadesh, Bode, and Tigni would circumambulate the city during the jatra.

The Newar community of Thimi celebrates the festival in a unique and spectacular way. On Tuesday, 28 palanquins were carried by men, and the air was filled with the rhythmic sounds of the dhime (a traditional Newari drum) and other musical instruments.

Sindoor palanquin jatra is currently celebrated in 19 places in Thimi area, one in Nagadesh, seven in Bode and one in Tigni.

The festival is celebrated under the leadership of the deities of Balkumari, Dakshinwarahi, Bishnubir, Siddhikali of Nagdesh, Mahalaxmi of Bode and Nilbarahi temple of Tigni.

All the processions converge in the small space in front of Balkumari Temple for the final ceremony, which is why the festival is also known as Balkumari Jatra.

The jatra begins with the traditional procession of palanquins bearing the idols of Siddhiganesh, Siddhikali and other deities from the Balkumari Temple.

It is believed that King Jagajyoti Malla initiated this festival.