Indra Jatra
इन्द्रजात्रा
Kathmandu's most spectacular street festival celebrating the god Indra, featuring the living goddess Kumari's chariot procession.
Location
Kathmandu Durbar Square and old city
Duration
8 days
Month (BS)
Bhadra
Month (AD)
September
Highlights
Kumari chariot procession through old Kathmandu. Swet Bhairav mask display with beer flowing from its mouth. Masked Lakhe dances in the streets. Ceremonial pole raising and lowering at Hanuman Dhoka.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive early to get a good viewing spot at Durbar Square. The Kumari chariot procession usually passes between 4-6 PM. Respect barriers around the Kumari — photography restrictions may apply. Streets get extremely crowded; watch your belongings.
Indra Jatra is the biggest and most important jatra in Kathmandu, an eight-day festival that marks the end of the monsoon season. It combines three distinct celebrations: Indra Jatra (honoring the rain god Indra), Kumari Jatra (the chariot procession of the Living Goddess), and Bhairav displays.
The festival begins with the erection of a ceremonial Yosin (lingo) pole at Hanuman Dhoka. For eight days, masked dancers perform in the streets, depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu and various demons. The highlight is when the Kumari — a prepubescent girl considered the living incarnation of goddess Taleju — is paraded through the old city streets in a massive chariot, accompanied by chariots of Ganesh and Bhairav.
Beer flows from the mouth of the towering Swet Bhairav mask at Hanuman Dhoka, with locals eagerly catching it. Families honor their recently deceased through ceremonial processions. The festival culminates with the lowering of the Yosin pole, symbolizing the release of Indra back to the heavens.