President Ram Chandra Paudel, who participated in the ongoing Indra Jatra festival, has observed the Rath Yatra (chariot pulling procession) of living goddess Kumari, and lord Ganesh and lord Bhairav at Basantapur in Kathmandu Valley on Thursday.
Indra Jatra, which is observed by worshipping Indra, the god of rain and the king of heaven, is the biggest festival observed in the Kathmandu Valley, and is deeply connected with the identity of the valley.
This festival, which began on Tuesday with the installation of a wooden ceremonial pole and the fluttering of a flag named after Hindu god Indra at Hanumandhoka, is a historical and cultural festival.
It is observed by the Newar community by performing various rituals in a grand manner. VVIPs including President Paudel offered prayers to living goddess Kumari, lord Ganesh and Bhairav during the festival on the premises of Basantapur this afternoon.
President Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Education Minister Ashok Rai, Tourism Minister Sudan Kiranti, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, among others reached Indra Jatra on foot.
