Kathmandu, Sept 17: President Ramchandra Paudel participated in the Indrajatra celebrations today at Hanuman Dhoka Palace. After arriving at the Gaddi Baithak, President Paudel offered Dakshina to the chariots of Shri Ganesh, Shri Bhairav, and Shri Kumari, marking the beginning of the chariot procession.

Other dignitaries, including Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice Vishwambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Speaker Narayan Dahal, and several ministers, MPs, and diplomats, were also present at the event.

The main day of Indrajatra started this morning with the raising of the Indradhvaja (Indra’s flag) at Hanuman Dhoka. Hariprasad Subedi, head of the religious branch of Guthi Sansthan, shared that the Rath Yatra (chariot procession) will pass through the lower town today and the upper town on Wednesday.

On Saturday, October 5th, a special women-only Nanicha Yatra will be held, and in the afternoon, President Paudel will receive Tika and Prasad from Kumari. As per tradition, the president will exchange the Khadg (ceremonial sword) with Kumari after receiving the offerings.

The festival will conclude on October 5th at 10:31 p.m. with the lowering of the Indradhvaja. Indrajatra is believed to have originated during the reign of King Pratap Malla, while the tradition of the Rath Yatra dates back to King Gunakamadeva. This is the longest Jatra celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley.

The festival also included cultural performances such as Lakhe, Dashavatar, Mahakali, Ramachandra, and Pulukisi dances. Indra, the god of rain and time, was also worshipped during the celebrations.