KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel observed the Indra Jatra festival at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square on Saturday. He walked from Juddha Salik in New Road to the historic Gaddi Baithak, continuing the tradition he began in 2023.
According to his press coordinator Khil Karki, several dignitaries also walked alongside the President. Among those attending the festival were Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Prakashman 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, lawmakers, provincial representatives, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, diplomats, and local representatives.
On the occasion, President Paudel offered garlands and donations to the chariots of Lord Ganesh, Lord Bhairav, and the Living Goddess Kumari, after which the chariot procession began.
Indra Jatra, which started on Thursday with the erection of the Indradhwaj (Indra’s flagpole), reached its main day today with the lower city procession. The upper city procession will take place on Sunday.
On September 11, women will exclusively pull the chariot during the Nanicha Jatra. That evening, President Paudel will visit Hanumandhoka Durbar Square to receive blessings and tika from the Kumari, followed by the traditional exchange of a sword with the Living Goddess.
The two-week-long festival will conclude late on September 11 with the lowering of the Indradhwaj. As per tradition, locals will drag the flagpole to Teku Dobhan by the Bagmati River for its symbolic immersion.
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