Yosin pole raised as Indrajatra festival begins in Kathmandu [In Pictures]

KATHMANDU: The Indrajatra festival officially began in Kathmandu on Wednesday with the raising of the ceremonial pole.

The traditional wooden pole, known in the Newari dialect as Yosin, was erected at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square, signaling the start of days of religious rituals, processions, and public celebrations as part of one of the Kathmandu Valley’s most vibrant festivals.

As per tradition, people from the Manandhar community bring the pole, which is made from a pine tree felled in the forest in Nala of Kavre, to Kathmandu.

Indrajatra, a festival dedicated to Indra, the Hindu god of rain, is particularly known for the chariot processions of Kumari, the living goddess, along with the chariots of Ganesh and Bhairav through the old streets of Kathmandu. The main celebrations of the Indrajatra festival, including the chariot processions, are on Friday.

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu, Sunita Dangol, among other dignitaries, observed the raising of the ceremonial pole on Wednesday.