Indra Jatra: Relevance, history, and traditions.
'Yenya Poonhi'
Kathmandu is a city of history precisely a prehistoric city, the origin of the holy Pashupatinath region of Devadeva Mahadev is not mentioned in any scriptures or history copperplate or inscription, but the tolerance, culture, civilization and cultural heritage of this city has become an invaluable ancient asset to the world today.
There is a taste of civilization and peace in the soil and climate of Kathmandu and Kathmandu is not only a city of gods and temples but also a city of many festivals and ancient civilizations with diversity. Indra Jatra i.e. 'Yenya Poonhi' in Nepal language is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Basantapur, an ancient settlement of Kathmandu city.
When Kathmandu people captured Lord Indra
Let's start with the legend that Lord Indra of the heavens came to Kathmandu in human form to steal the flowers and Parijat required for the fast of Vasundhara Devi, his mother. As lord Indra stole flowers without asking permission from the gardener, they used their tantric power to find Indra and tied him up in the middle of the road.
The idols of Indra tied at Indrachowk, Kilagal and Naradevi in Kathmandu are also displayed in high Dabali, stage. To free her son Indra, who was imprisoned by the people of Kathmandu, his mother herself came to Kathmandu and took Indra back, promising to give adequate fog and mists in return for her son. The legend that rice grows and ripens on time due to the same special fog in this season is still alive in the vernacular. The main function of Indrajatra is to set up a lingo (flag) and organize a rath yatra in a joyous atmosphere.
After the black book/ Goat, prepared for a special ritual by worshiping the tantric method, is left in the forest at Ugrachandi Nala in Kavre district, the first plant's leaf eaten by the goat is cut and the rainbow flag lingo on Ekadashi day is prepared from that tree.
The lingo prepared in this way is also called 'Yonsi' in the local Nepal language. The lingo is placed in front of the idol of the great Kal Bhairav at Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur Darwar Square. Once this Lingo holds high, Indra Jatra movement commences. However, this year is stagnant, we hope and wish the commemoration could be continued next year. The special lingo prepared in this way is decorated with various symbols and flags. Worship is done by placing a statue of an elephant with Indra at the base of the lingo.
History and process of Indra Jatra
In Kathmandu, the Indra Jatra is believed to have been practiced by the Lichchavikalin king Gunakamdev in the tenth century, while the Kumari Jatra is believed to have started in the mid-eighteenth century. On this day, the unprecedented tolerant relationship between the Buddhist Newa community of Kathmandu and the Newa communities of Hindu faith can be seen in Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Thus, the Newa community celebrates Indrajatra with joy and enthusiasm for eight days with various stages and cultural pageants.
Also, three days after the holding of the lingo, Kumari, Ganesh, and Akash Bhairav (Savbhaku), who are living goddesses in the Basantapur Durbar Square area, have a tradition of making a rath yatra. It is also customary to stay awake all night at Indradaha in Dahchok, about 7.2 km west of Kathmandu, and take a bath the next day.
On the third day of the lingo procession, i.e. on the day of Yanlathwa Chaturdashi, the living goddess Kumari, Bhairav and Ganesh, who has been considered by the Newar community as 'Kwahane Ya:', are placed in a chariot and circled in the lower half of the old Kantipur city of Kathmandu. In the evening of the same day, after the chariots of Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari have been circled, the families of those who have died during the year from Marutol go around Kantipur scattering Satvij.
No, let me correct my statement here, entire Kathmandu and Nepal celebrates the Indra Jatra for eight days. The head of the state and important personalities are present in this celebration, Indra Jatra is as immaculate and accurate as it was since centuries. These centuries-old journeys have continued. The monasteries and temples are not in the same condition after the earthquake to celebrate these processions that have been taking place in front of Basantapur Durbar Square and the heritages but the enthusiasm and hope get multiplied every year.
All need to unite for the traditional continuity of these cultural heritages and its protection. May the blessings of Indra remain, may the crops flourish in the country, and may peace dwell in the hearts of all, best wishes to the Nepalis of Indrajatra.
Ananta Chaturdashi
According to religious beliefs, when the Pandavas lost all their wealth and honor in gambling, they were living a miserable life in the forest with Mrs. Draupadi. At that time, Lord Krishna had requested Yudhisthira to fast reverently on this day. Following the advice of Lord Krishna, the five Pandavas methodically fasted on Ananta Chaturdashi, and the effect of this fast was that the Pandavas were liberated from their miserable lives.
Today is the day of worshiping and adoring Lord Anantnath (Lord Vishnu) and fasting with reverence. Chaturdashi of Bhadra Shukla side is called Ananta Chaturdashi.
ॐ अनन्ताय नम:
Worship method (Puja Method of Anant Chaturdashi)
Today in the morning by bathing etc. daily worship should be prepared with a pure mind. First of all, the urn should be installed and the Ashta Dal should be placed in it and the eternal God of Kush should be established. One should worship Lord Anantnath (Lord Vishnu) with a pure heart by placing an infinite sutra with fourteen knots in front of the urn. It is especially good to worship Ananta Chaturdashi during the day.
Poornima Vrata
he last day of Shukla Paksha is the full moon day. Today is the Kartik Poornima, a poornima which officially concludes the convoy of festivals. On this tithi, the moon is the brightest and magnificent. It is believed that fasting on this day brings immense lunar grace to health, prosperity, and peace. On the full moon day, Lord Shiva and Vishnu are especially worshiped. Special worship to Lord Vishnu is done in the form of Satya Narayan Puja. Satya Narayan Puja is usually performed whenever possible, although the fruits of this puja performed on the day of the full moon are very abundant.
From a scientific point of view, it is said that gravity will have a great effect on the earth on the day of the full moon and self-purification will be done by fasting on this day and remembering the name of God. By fasting on this day, the metabolic process will be strengthened, gastric problems will be solved and positive energy will increase in the body.
This day is fasted from sunrise in the morning to moonrise in the evening. Some people observe this fast without drinking water, while others observe this fast by eating only one meal and eating no salt (alino) food. In the evening, after the moonrise, the fast ends with the sighting of the moon. Happy Jestha Shukla Purnima to everyone this year.
Let there be an end to the flood and landslide, let there be the protection of both religion and the followers of religion.
Suyog Dhakal
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