KATHMANDU, Sept. 17: President Ram Chandra Paudel visited Hanuman Dhoka at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu to attend the cultural and historical festival of Indra Jatra on Tuesday.
On the occasion of the age-old cultural and historic festival, President Paudel reached the Gaddi Baithak in Hanumandhoka from Juddha Salik on foot and graced the Indra Jatra.
The chariot procession of Ganesh, Bhairabh and Kumari started after the president reached the Gaddi Baithak and made offerings to the gods and goddesses.
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Other dignitaries including Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal, deputy prime ministers Prakash Man Singh and Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, ministers, lawmakers, province assembly members, the chiefs and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Nepal, people's representatives from the local levels also reached the Gaddi Baithak to observe Indra Jatra.
The Indra Jatra festival began on Sunday with cultural rituals in line with the lunar calendar. The main celebration of Indra Jatra was held on Tuesday.
The chariot-pulling procession will continue in other areas of the city on Wednesday.
On September 21, the chariot procession will be carried out by women to perform Nanicha Yatra. On the same day, President Paudel will receive Tika and Prasad from Goddess Kumari. The ritual has it that the Head of the State swaps khadga (sword) with Goddess Kumari on that day.
Indra Jatra will conclude on September 21 after bringing down the Indradhowj (flag) with several ceremonies such as the Lakhe Naach, Mahakali Naach, Pulukisi Naach among other dances that make the Indra Jatra celebration a grand festivity among the Newar community mainly in the Kathmandu Valley.
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