Nepal, a land where myth and history blur seamlessly, finds one of its grandest expressions in Indra Jatra—a spectacle of devotion, tradition, and theatrical grandeur. It is here, in the heart of Kathmandu, that gods are honored, kings pay homage, and the streets come alive in a pulsating display of faith and festivity. For eight electrifying days, the city throbs with ritual and celebration. At Hanuman Dhoka, a towering wooden pole is raised skyward—an offering to Indra, the celestial god of rain, a deity both revered and chastised in this festival’s curious narrative. The air is thick with the scent of burning incense, the sound of conch shells, the rhythmic beat of drums, and the chants of devotees who pour into the ancient square. Amidst this fervor, the Living Goddess Kumari emerges, carried in an ornate chariot, her presence a mystery—half-child, half-divine. Alongside her, the deities Bhairav and Ganesha journey through the labyrinthine alleys of Kathmandu, their towering effigies swaying under the weight of centuries-old belief. By day, masked dancers—fierce and unrelenting—invoke the spirit of gods, their intricate performances a portal to another time. By night, the flickering oil lamps cast long shadows over the temples, lending an ethereal glow to the city’s ancient bones. Indra Jatra is Nepal at its most raw and unfiltered. It is a festival of contradictions—where gods descend to mingle with mortals, where joyous processions mask the solemnity of age-old rituals, where faith is neither questioned nor explained but simply lived. It is a world unto itself, where past and present merge in a ceaseless, hypnotic dance.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, proceed for the tour of Swoyambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar Square.
Swoyambhunath Stupa: It is a Buddhist stupa which stands at the top of a green hillock west of Kathmandu. It is believed to be over 2000 years old and was the point where Manjushree discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake. The main attractions are big Stupa, 365 steps, Pratapur and Anantapur Temples, Manjushree Temple along with numerous small chhortens.
Patan Durbar Square: The Patan city is believed to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. Most of the monuments were built between 12th to 18th centuries by Malla Kings. It is known as the center of fine arts and superb craftsmanship of its artisans. The main attractions are the old Royal Palace, Krishna Temple, Taleju Temple, Bhimsen Temple, Golden Temple (Hiranyavarna Mahabihar) etc.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square to observe and experience Indra Jatra (Chariot Festival).
Kathmandu Durbar Square: It was founded between 1069 – 1083 AD. The complex of palaces, courtyards and temples were built between 1200 to 1768 A.D. and once used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. The main attractions are Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kashtamandap Temple, Kumari Temple (Living Goddess) etc.
INDRA JATRA (CHARIOT FESTIVAL)
It is a well-known fact that Hinduism and Buddhism are the two major religions of Nepal, each having its own rules and rituals. However, like most festivals of Nepal, both Hindus and Buddhist unite to celebrate the festival of Indra Jatra. This festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists with great enthusiasm. It is also believed that Indra Jatra is a festival of classical dances. It is on this very day when one is able to observe numerous varieties of traditional dances. The festival is named after Lord Indra who is known as the god of rain and also as the king of heaven.
The festival of Indra Jatra continues for eight days with much rejoicing, singing, dancing and feasting. People from all over Nepal, mostly those who live within the Kathmandu Valley, gather at the Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. The first day of the festival is viewed by a large number of people. On that day, a long wooden pole is erected in front of the ancient Royal Palace at Hanuman Dhoka, in order to propitiate Lord Indra, the"god of rain". Classical dancers also assemble at the spot, wearing different kinds of traditional masks and costumes and dancing around the courtyard of Hanuman Dhoka to celebrate Indra's visit.
On the third day of the festival of Indra Jatra, the living goddess Kumari is taken out in a procession in a chariot. "Kumari", the "living goddess", is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess "Taleju". Chariots of Kumari, Ganesha and Bhairav are taken around the city for three days. According to Hindu beliefs Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati who has a head of an elephant and Bhairav is another form of Lord Shiva himself.
The king of Nepal, the only Hindu king in the world, also pays homage to the Kumari during this period. The festival's many interesting dances, including the Procession of Living Goddess-Mahakali, Mahalaxmi and Dasha Avatara masked dances are staged in Kathmandu Durbar Square, near the Kumari Temple. The "Dasha Avatara" refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu who is one of the Hindu's Holy trinity. The excitement of the festival of Indra Jatra comes to an end on the last evening of the festival when the long wooden pole erected on the first day is lowered with religious ceremonies, animal sacrifices and ritual gestures.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.
After breakfast, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: It is an ancient capital of Kathmandu valley and was founded by King Yakshya Malla in 14th century. It was the trade route to Tibet. It is considered as a museum of medieval art and architecture with many examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples. The main attractions are Royal Palace (fifty-five windowed), Golden Gate, Nyatapola Temple, statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Dattatraya Temple, Bhairabnath Temple, Peacock Window etc.
Pashupatinath Temple: The Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is one of the sacred Hindu temple complexes located on the banks of the Bagmati River. It is not known when the Pashupatinath Temple was built. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of all Pashus (Animal), who are living and non-living beings. The existence of the Pashupatinath Temple dates back to 400 BC. C., the richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or the sacred symbol of Lord Shiva. There are many legends describing how the Pashupatinath temple arose here.
Boudhanath Stupa : It was built by King Lichchhavi Mana Dev in the 5th century AD. C. Boudhanath is also called Khasti Chaitya in Kathmandu. The huge mandala of the stupa makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal with lots of positive energy. From its whitewashed dome to its gilded tower painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, the monument is perfectly proportioned. Pilgrims do koras (circumambulations) in the morning and in the afternoon in search of luck, peace and prosperity for all beings that live in this world.
Overnight at hotel.
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