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Indra Jatra

Indra jatra aka yenya in newari is the biggest religious street festival. Indra, lord of rain and King of Heaven, is thanked a day for a rain on the day of Indra Jatra. While some people believe, Indrajatra is celenrated in the honor of Bhairab, who is Shiva's manifestation and is believed to destroy the evils. Indra jatra consists of two events. Indra jatra performed with masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableaus in the honor of Indra. The next event is Kumari Jatra, the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.

On this day deceased family members are remembered. The main place of celebration is the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Indrajatra celebration last for 8 days from the 12th day of the bright fortnight to the 4th day of the dark fortnight of Yanla, the 11th month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar.

Indrajatra was first started by King GunKamadev to commemorate the founding of the city of Kathmandu in the 10th century. Kumari Jatra began in the mid 18th century. The celebrations are held according tot the lunar calendar so the date is not fixed in BS and gregorian calendar.

Indrajatra is also celebrated in different parts of Nepal and India. In terai Indrajatra is celerated little differently. In Sikkim celebration consists of Lakhe dance, pulu kisi dance, chariot procession of Kumari and a procession of girls dressed like various deities.