BHAKTAPUR

Bhaktapur observed Indra Jatra with a grand ritual ceremony held at Indradaha or Siddha Pokhari, Bhaktapur on Saturday. A large number of people witnessed the festival. The rituals began with taking an idol of Hindu God Indra to the Siddha Pokhari from Indrayani Dyo Chhen at Khauma, Bhaktapur on Friday evening. The idol of the god Indra was placed on a wooden chariot and taken around the city before carrying it to the Siddha Pokhari. A deepawali (lighting of butter lamps) was held on Friday evening.

The festival concluded on Saturday after taking the idol back to Indryani Dyo Chhen. The festival symbolizes a myth dating back to the Dwarpara Yuga, one of four ages, when the God Krishna lifted the Gobardhan hill on the tip of his finger to save living beings from the anger of Lord Indra. And as the symbol of same victory this festival is celebrated every year in Bhaktapur. According to local historian Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, Indradev who earned fame as the most powerful crown prince in Nepal during Nepal Sambat 218 had built the pond.