Parade for a living goddess kicks off Nepal festival season
Original story by
ABC News•Sep 6•Festival, Hindu Traditions, Nepal

📰 Article Summary
The Indra Jatra festival kicked off in Kathmandu, Nepal, gathering tens of thousands of devotees as they celebrated the beginning of a monthslong festival season. Attendees enjoyed traditional music and feasts, honoring Hindu deities, while the ceremony featured masked dances and the revered living goddess, Kumari, who was paraded in a wooden chariot. This weeklong festival is significant as it marks the end of the monsoon season and ushers in the fall, and it's particularly celebrated by the Newar community.
📌 Key Facts
- Festival Significance: Indra Jatra marks the end of the monsoon season and the start of the fall, celebrated primarily by the Newar community of Kathmandu. It is one of the first festivals in a series that includes major celebrations like Dasain and Tihar.
- Kumari's Role: The festival features the Kumari, a young girl revered as a living goddess in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Devotees gather to worship her and partake in the traditions surrounding her presence during the festival.
- Cultural Celebrations: Men and boys dressed in colorful masks and gowns perform traditional dances, which attract large crowds and create a festive atmosphere. Families engage in feasts and rituals, such as lighting incense for deceased relatives.
- Political Participation: The festival also sees participation from high-ranking officials, including Nepal's president and prime minister, who join the crowd in respect and reverence for the tradition.
- Upcoming Festivals: Indra Jatra is the opening event of the festival season in Nepal, leading up to significant celebrations such as Dasain and Tihar, which are integral to the culture and spirituality of the predominantly Hindu nation.
📂 Article Classification
Topic Tags: Cultural Festival
📍 Location
Kathmandu, Nepal
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