Indra Jatra festival rituals disturbed by Gen-Z protests

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Sep. 11: A few days ago, the vibrant roads and alleys around the Basantapur area were full of life due to the festive activities of Indra Jatra. But from Monday, they turned empty due to protests by the Gen-Z. The festive celebrations of Indra Jatra were completely halted in the middle of the festival.

Gautam Shakya, Chairperson of the Indra Jatra Management Committee, informed that the religious rituals and cultural activities were conducted on Sunday. However, with the imposition of a curfew from Tuesday, they could not continue. 

Kathmandu’s biggest eight-day festival officially began last Thursday with the erection of a wooden pole. But from the fifth day of the festival, it was completely halted.

During the initial days, several cultural mask dances were performed, including Majipa Lakhe, Mahakali Dance, Pulukisi, Halchowk Bhairav, and Devi, among others. “All of these were stopped from Monday,” said Shakya.

Tulsi Narayan Dandekshya, head of the Mahakali Dance Management Committee, said that an ethnic community from Bhaktapur had come to Kathmandu to perform mask dances during the eight-day Indra Jatra festival. “We cannot come to Kathmandu from Bhaktapur with our group of dancers,” he added.

Similarly, during Tuesday’s demonstration, the wheels of Rato Machhindranath were completely damaged due to a fire at Jawalakhel.