Indra Jatra
| Indra Jātra | |
|---|---|
Mask of Sweta Bhairava at Durbar Square | |
| Also called | Yenya in Nepali |
| Observed by | Nepalese Hindus and Buddhists |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | Unity of Local People of Kathmandu |
| Celebrations | Chariot processions on
17th of September 2024 (Kwaneyā) 18th of September 2024 (Thaneyā) 21st Of September 2024 (Nānichāyā) |
| Observances | Processions, masked dances, tableau |
| Begins | Yanlāthwā Dwadashi (ञलाथ्व द्वादशी) |
| Ends | Yanlāgā Chaturthi (ञलागा: चतुर्थी) |
| Started by | King Gunakāmadeva |
Indra Jātrā, also known as Yenyā Punhi is the biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. "Ye" means the old Newari name for "Kathmandu", "Ya" means “Celebration”, and "Puhni" means full moon so together means the birthday of the old city of Kathmandu. The celebrations consist of two events, Indra Jātrā and Kumāri Jātrā. Indra Jātrā is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images, and tableaus in honor of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. Kumāri Jātrā is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.
Family members deceased in the past year are also remembered during the festival. The main venue of the festival is Kathmandu Durbar Square. The celebrations last for eight days from the 12th day of the bright fortnight to the 4th day of the dark fortnight of Yanlā (ञला), the eleventh month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar.
Indra Jatra was started by King Gunakamadeva- (गुणकामदेव) to commemorate the founding of the Kathmandu city in the 10th century. Kumari Jatra began in the mid-18th century. The celebrations are held according to the lunar calendar, so the dates are changeable.