Indra Jatra concludes

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Sep. 12: Indra Jatra, the eight-day-long grand festival of Kathmandu, concluded on Thursday without the traditional chariot procession due to the prevailing curfew.

A meeting held on Wednesday between Guthi Sansthan, the Indra Jatra Management Committee, and the Nepal Army decided to perform only the essential customary rituals to conclude the festival aiming to safeguard both cultural heritage and public safety.

The concerned bodies decided to end the Jatra in a shorter and more orderly manner due to the current circumstances.

This centuries-old celebration of culture, devotion, and community in the Kathmandu Valley came to a passive close this year.

The Nanicha Yatra, the women-led Kumari chariot procession traditionally held on the concluding day of the festival, was not celebrated this year as the nation reels from intense unrest.

The Nanicha Yatra, one of the highlights of Indra Jatra, involves a chariot carrying the Living Goddess Kumari being pulled exclusively by women through the streets of Kathmandu.

The Yosin (ceremonial wooden pole) was taken down at the auspicious hour of 10:31 PM on Thursday.

Unlike in ordinary times, the event was organized quietly, without the grandeur and vibrant crowds that are usually seen during the festival.

In previous years, on the final day, the chariot would be pulled by women from Kumari Ghar through Nardevi, Kilagal, and Indrachowk before reaching Hanumandhoka.

As per the tradition, the Head of State visits Kumari Ghar to mark the conclusion of the festival.

This year, jubilation and devotion were replaced with silence. No cheering, no pulling of chariots, no lively performances of mask dances—only shortened rituals were performed to preserve the essence of tradition.

"All the activities of Indra Jatra, including mask dances such as Majipa Lakhe, Mahakali Dance, Pulukisi, Halchowk Bhairav, Devi Dance, and Dashavatar, among others, were stopped from Monday," said Gautam Shakya, Chairperson of the Indra Jatra Management Committee.