Living God Ganesh Rodin Shakya is presented in front of the crowd while being carried into his chariot during the annual Indra Jatra festival to worship Indra, Kumari and other deities and to mark the end of monsoon season in Kathmandu, Nepal September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Monika Malla REFILE - CORRECTING "LIVING GODDESS KUMARI TRISHNA SHAKYA" TO "LIVING GOD GANESH RODIN SHAKYA" AND CORRECTING PRONOUN
THE monthslong festival season here has begun with tens of thousands of devotees pulling a wooden chariot with a young girl revered as a living goddess.
Families gathered for feasts and lit incense for the dead at shrines. Men and boys in colourful masks and gowns representing Hindu deities danced to traditional music and drums, drawing throngs of spectators to Kathmandu’s old streets.
The weeklong Indra Jatra festival marks the end of the monsoon and rice farming season, signalling the dawn of fall. It’s celebrated mostly by the Newar community, the native residents of Kathmandu.
It is also known as the festival of deities and demons and especially honours Indra, the Hindu god of rain.
Kumari, a young girl revered by both Hindus and Buddhists here as a living goddess, left her temple palace and was driven around the capital’s centre in a wooden chariot pulled by devotees who have lined up to receive her blessing.
Among the spectators were President Ram Chandra Poudel, officials and diplomats. — AP
