Indra Jatra - Festival of Living Goddess

Nepal is well known for its richness in terms of religious diversity, where people having different norms, religions and rituals dwells together respecting each others feelings and cultures. Different cultures have their own fist and festivals, which are being transmitted from generation to generation and their upcoming generation are also getting prepared to continue it. Among all, Indra Jatra is one of the important festivals celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhist. The festival is well known for its classical dances.
On that day, people from all over Nepal, mostly those who live within the Kathmandu Valley, gather at the Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu to observe numerous varieties of traditional dances. The festival is named after Lord Indra - the king of heaven and god of rain. With much rejoicing, singing, dancing and feasting, Indra Jatra continues for eight days. The festival is initiated by founding a long wooden pole in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka in order to propitiate Lord Indra. Classical dancers also assemble at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional masks and costumes and dancing around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit.
The living goddess, Kumari, who is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess "Taleju", is another special feature of the festival. On the third day of the festival goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. Along with Chariot of Kumari, the chariots of gods Ganesha and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days. According to Hindu beliefs Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati who has a head of an elephant and Bhairav is another form of Lord Shiva himself.Even the then ruling kings use to pay homage to the Kumari during this period. The festival's many interesting dances, including the Procession of Living Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.