Indra Jatra, one of the major festivals observed in Kathmandu Valley, began in Kathmandu on 15 September 2024.
The festival honours Indra, revered as the god of rain and prosperity. Among the Newar community, the celebration is known as Yenya Punhi.
Festival at a glance
- Indra Jatra is observed over eight days.
- The opening is marked by the raising of the Indra Dhwaja at Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur.
- Observances include ritual dances, worship and chariot processions.
- Celebrations extend beyond Kathmandu to communities in Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel and Dolakha.
The festival formally begins after a ceremonial pole bearing the Indra Dhwaja, or flag, is erected in front of Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur. The following days feature traditional dances, processions and worship of deities.
The principal procession in 2024 took place on 17 September. Chariots carrying representations of Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari travelled through Kathmandu’s historic thoroughfares, with ceremonial observances centred on Basantapur Durbar Square.
Why the festival matters
Indra Jatra brings sacred practice into shared civic space. Its ceremonies connect seasonal traditions, Newar cultural heritage and the living architecture of the Kathmandu Valley.
A public holiday was declared in Kathmandu Valley for the principal day of the 2024 festival.
This report describes the 2024 observance and has been edited for clarity and historical context.
