Indra Jatra

For the Newa people of Kathmandu, Yenya, also known as Indra Jatra, is their biggest festival. In the eight days the festival is observed, streets and temples in the heart of old Kathmandu are lined with samaya bajis, which are later devoured by the locals. Masked dances, representing various deities and demons, are performed in the vicinity of old Newa settlements, which also witness three chariots--of Kumari, Bhairav, and Ganesh--parading on the streets, with people pulling the chariots with much excitement and fervour.



“Yenya is a multi-faceted celebration, having cultural, religious, and social significance in Newa culture, which sees the involvement of every Newa caste group,” says Chunda Bajracharya, a culture expert.

This year, however, for the first time in history, the streets of Ye (Kathmandu) will not come alive. The procession of the Kumari’s chariot should have started with Indra Jatra, which falls today. But because of the pandemic, Yenya, along with all festivals, has been called off by the government due to health concerns. An eerie quiet hangs in the air.

To mark the festival, the Post deep-dives into the many tales surrounding the origin of the festival, how it has evolved over the years and its significance in Newa society. 

https://tkpo.st/34RG7EA