Indrayani Jatra
इन्द्रायणी जात्रा
Newar
Dates
| 2083 BS | Date to be announced | Date to be announced |
| 2084 BS | Date to be announced | Date to be announced |
Indrayani Jatra is an annual festival celebrated in Kathmandu, Nepal. The festival is held for eight days every year, starting on Marga Krishna Ekadashi (late November). The festival is celebrated by both Buddhist and Hindu communities together. The origin of the Jatra is unknown, but it is believed to have been started by the Licchavi.
Festival procession
The Maharjans, Dongols, Mahanthas, Thaku Jujus, Kasais, Manandhars take part in the Jatra. The festival starts on Trayodashi day. An idol of Indrayani is brought from Tyauda to the Dhalko temple on a palanquin. A special snake-offering oblation (Sarpahuti Yagya) is performed on the temple premises. In this ritual, a pair of snakes, two fishes, sparrows and grasshoppers are offered to the flame. During the puja, men stand as guard at the temple's doors called Paa Pi Wonegu. During the festival, a 48 feet tall wooden pole called Yansi is raised inside the Indrayani Temple at Dhalko. The Bajracharyas of Thahity, Kathmandu bring their ancestral gods called Aju and Aji in the Indrayani Temple. The next day, the idol of Indrayani is carried to Thahity on the palanquin to meets her children Swan Chhapu Ganesh, Bhudi Ganesh, Shova Bhagwati, Mankhacha and Jwalamai. All her children except Mankhacha and Jwalamai. On the new moon day, the palanquin of Indrayani is carried around the city, including Swet Bhairav at Chhetrapati. In the past, Swet Bhairav was accompanied by Indrayani around the city, but this practice was stopped about 70 years ago.