Indra Jatra festival begins in Kathmandu

01/11

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The elephant deity Pulu Kishi is seen on the first day of the Indra Jatra Festival.

02/11

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Masked dancers perform a traditional deity dance.

03/11

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Devotees pulling the Indradhoj Linga to mark the beginning of the Indrajatra Festival.

04/11

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Living Goddess Kumari is taken to Taleju Temple during the first day of the Indra Jatra festival at Hanuman Dhoka.

05/11

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A soldier of Guruji ko Paltan fires a gun to mark the beginning of Indra Jatra festival.

06/11

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The famous Lakhe Dance is seen on the first day of the Indra Jatra Festival in Kathmandu.

07/11

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Devotees taking liquor as prasad blessings from Swet Bhairav on first day of Indra Jatra.

08/11

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Masked dancers perform a traditional deity's dance on the first day of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu September 9, 2011.

09/11

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White horse representing the state head is seen in front of Swet Bhairav in Kathmandu.

10/11

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Masked dancer perform a traditional deity's dance on the first day of the Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu September 9, 2011.

11/11

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A man cleans up the Hanumandhoka premise during Indrajatra festival.

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On the first day a lofty wooden post is erected before the king's palace and dancers from all across Nepal perform with masks. Later in the week virgins are brought to be worshipped. 9th September 2011

Indrajatra festival begins with the carnival-like erection of Yosin, a ceremonial pole, accompanied by the rare display of the deity Swet and Aakash Bhairab, represented by a massive mask spouting beer and liquor on Friday.
During Indra Jatra, there are a variety of performances including the dances of Sawa Bhakku Bhairav from Halchowk, Majipa Lakhey from Majipat, Devi Nach and Yeravat hathi (Pulukisi) from Naradevi, Mahakali and Kathi Maka Nach from Bhaktapur. All the dances take place around Hanuman Dhoka area. The Dasavatar or the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu is also staged every night.
Indra Jatra is a very interesting festival because for the whole week people enjoy various traditional dances and witness the chariot of Goddess Kumari, Lord Ganesh and Lord Bhairav being pulled through the older parts of the Kathmandu city.