इन्द्र जात्रा Indrajatra

The Indrajatra festival begins only when a forty eight foot long, gigantic pole, or lingo, is erected amidst a very old-styled religious function by the government priests and officials in a huge public gathering at the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square in a Kathmandu city. The pole is also regarded as the victory banner of Indra, the king of heven. This auspicious day falls on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Ashiwn (September-October). This fascinating festival lasts for eight days and is celebrated by the entire Hindu and Buddhist people in one form or another throughout the country.Some of the interesting aspects of celebrating the festival are erecting several small ceremonial poles displaying the statues of Indra and Bhairavs, staging the traditional devil and deity dances followed by febulous feast and festival feelings.Though this kind of ceremonial activity is seen almost in every neighbourhood in the Kathmandu Valley, yet the most enjoyable place for this festive event is the Hanuman Dhoka area. One can observe the huge image of Hathu Deo or Aakas Bhairava at Hanuman Dhoka, the image of gigantic Aju Deo at Indrachowk the life-size statue of Lord Indra installed on the high wooden pillar top near the Kastamandap temple(which is said to be built from timber of a single tree,) the Mahakali dance from Bhadgaon, the Bhairava dance from Halchowk and the Deshavatara dance of Lord Vishnu, all staged right in the vicinity of the Hanuman Dhoka.
The king and queen grace the third day of the festival according to the time-tested tradition.The Gaddibaithaka hall gets fully packed with the distinguished guests, diplomats, higher government afficials and the like. Then the chariot festival of kumari (the Living Goddess), Bhairava and Ganesh takes place.The beginning point of this chariot festival festival is the Basantapur Durbar Square, which is right across from the famed temple of Living Goddess. The ceremonial function starts roughly around 1 pm. However, it all depends upon the ritual performance of the grand puja that takes place at the Kumari temple on the day.
The festival has very ancient origin. According to some Vedic scholars, the Rigveda has many references to it. Indeed, more than one fourth of the mantras of the Rigveda are dedicated to Lord Indra, who is the king of rain gods. For example, Indra is called a great giver of rain and foodgrain. Nepalese worship him mostly in the form. Besides, he is also highty praised for the bravery. He is said to have bravely beheaded several demons like Vritra, Uran, Shunsa and so forth. Symbolically speaking, these demons are none other than natural calamities like drought, excessive rain and the like, which might put people in trouble whose only means of livelihood is agriculture. Thus, Indrajatra is not only very old but also closely associated with the agricultural life of the people.
The Bhavishya purana duly describes the festival.The Mahabharata speaks very highly about its significance. It mentions that chidiraj vasu was the first king to introduce it for public celebration. It also mentions all those king who celebrated it with great feelings and faith and says the kings who maintain the tradition of celebrating it will be lucky enough to see the powerful rivers of milk and honey flowing incessantly through their kingdoms.
According to the bhavishya purana the ceremonial pole, which is erected on the first day of the festival, should be divided into serval segment or puras(city-states). Besides,one of the very old Vedic names of Indra is Pandora,which means a great destroyer of several city-states. Most probably non-Aryan king or Dravidian chiefs ruled all those small city-states. In the Vedas,the viliant Indra is said to have ninety-nine hands,which he used in destroying several of his enemy city-states. However,it is said that Indra was able to work out his ambitions plan only after he had received a great banner from Lord Vishnu. Therefore,the Nepalese display so much respect for the indra dhoja(banner),which they believe to symbolize unity,strength and peace for all.
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#guru rajendra maharjan