Kathmandu – Members of the Central Manandhar Association, accompanied by officials from the Guthi Sansthan and members of the Shardul Jung Gulma (Guruju’s Platoon), headed to forest in Bhaktapur on journey to cut the tree at auspicious time of 9:53 am on Sunday to bring Yosin, the ceremonial pole used to mark the beginning of the Indra Jatra festival.
Traditionally, a pine or sal tree is selected and cut at an auspicious time of 8:47 pm. The cut tree is brought into Kathmandu , and the yosin is scheduled to be brought into the city on Saturday, Aswin 3, at 8:05 am.
The Indra Dhwajotthan, or raising of the ceremonial pole, Yosin at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is scheduled for Wednesday, Aswin 7, at 7:47 am. The main Indra Jatra procession will take place on Friday, Aswin 9, in the lower town, followed by the upper-town procession on Saturday, Aswin 10.
On Tuesday, Aswin 13, the festival will conclude with Nanicha Jatra, during which women traditionally pull the chariot. The Indra Dhwaja pole will be lowered at 9:25 pm that day, marking the end of the 13-day festival.
Indra Jatra is one of Kathmandu’s most important traditional festivals, featuring chariot processions, masked dances, music and religious rituals, including the public appearance of the living goddess Kumari.
