Kathmandu September 23. Indrajatra is celebrated by worshiping Devraj Indra, god of rain and co-existence, today. Every year the festival is celebrated on Bhadra Shukla Chaturdashi in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel and Dolakha. The Jatra is celebrated  for eight days by worshiping the god Indra.

The eight-day long Indra Jatra festival falls in September and is commonly known as the one of the most important festivals of the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley.  This also marks the beginning of a month-long festival season of autumn. Bhairav, a god , ​​is worshiped at the base of the lingo ,the erection of a wooden pole, made of pine at Basantapur Sqaure in front of the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace.

Lakhay, Masked dancers take to the streets almost every evening accompanied by loud drums and other music. The festival commemorates the time when Indra came down from heaven in human form to look for an herb. Indra Jatra is celebrated as a festival of victory after the defeat of the enemy. The large image of Akash Bhairab’s head is put on display facing his temple at Indra Chowk.

Indra Jatra is also considered as a festival to worship  rainbow. Today, it is a tradition of observing the chariots of Shri Kumari, Shri Ganesh and Shri Bhairav. Moreover, Shree kumara is a  living goddesses . The chariot of the Kumari followed by two other smaller chariots carrying a representative of Ganesh and Bhairav are taken to different parts of Kathmandu valley .Many people gather here  to watch it enthusiastically.The festival of Indra Jatra ends with the lowering of the (lingam) pole bearing Indra’s flag.