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Kathmandu Valley Special Pgrogram

Indra Jatra Ye: Ya Punhi Festival of Kathmandu
  • Experience the vibrant cultural and social festival of Kathmandu. Embrace the ethnic and multicultural heritage of Kathmandu. Enjoy Kathmandu Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its cultural significance.” Experience the harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Witness community collaboration, as people come together to create a grand theatre of celebration featuring music, food, and cultural unity. Join locals in their worship for bountiful harvests and prosperity,  in a show of reunions of faith and kinship.

    Indra Jatra-Ye: Ya, Kathmandu's largest religious street festival is a multifaceted celebration with cultural, spiritual, and social significance. This eight-day festive season begins with the erection of the Ya Sin (long log) and continues with various activities until the Ya Sin is taken down on the eighth day of the festival. The streets and temples in the heart of old Kathmandu are adorned with samaya baji, which the locals later consume as a blessing. In the local language, ye means "Kathmandu," and Ya means "celebration" or "celebration in Kathmandu." There are different myths and explanations regarding why Ye: Ya is celebrated. This eight-day festival is marked with fanfare. It includes a chariot procession of the living goddesses Kumari, Ganesh, and Bairav, as well as a masked dance of deities and demons displaying sacred images and representations in honour of Lord Indra, king of heaven. From then on, a gentle morning mist would blanket the Kathmandu Valley during the autumn and winter to ripen the harvest. With such blessing and protection, Kathmandu flourished. 

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    • The raising of the Lingo (Yosin) symbolises the arrival of Indra and the end of the monsoon. 
    • Chariot Procession of Living Goddess Kumari along with the chariots of Ganesh and Bhairab.
    • Masked Dances of Lakhey, Pulu Kisi, and Mahakali Naach bring together entertainment and tantric rituals rooted in devotion.
    • Lakhey Dance: A demon dance symbolising the protector of children
    • Pulu Kisi (White Elephant): searching for the King of Heaven, whom a Tantrik has bound for ploughing flowers 
    • Display of Bhairab Masks: Symbolises respect for the protector of the Kathmandu valley.
    • Devotion to ancestors and Remembrance of deceased members visit shrines and temples to perform rituals and light butter lamps.
    • Swet Bhairab and Akash Bhairab: Fierce forms of Shiva, their masks are revealed only during this festival

     

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    The vibe of grooving music, the fun fare of individuals, the party atmosphere and surroundings, the chariot procession of Living goddess Kumari along with Kumar and Ganesh, the queuing locals to have glimpses of the goddess, the faith and belief of locals and massive participation in different cultural activities will bring joy and happiness to each one present.

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