Indra Jatra (Yenya)
इन्द्र जात्रा / येँयाः
September 23, 2026 – September 30, 2026 · Ashwin 7–14, 2083 BS
Kathmandu (Durbar Square)
Plan a trip around Indra Jatra (Yenya)History & origin
Named for Indra, the Vedic god of rain and the heavens. Legend tells that Indra descended to the valley in disguise to pick flowers for his mother and was captured as a thief; when his mother came looking and revealed his true identity, the valley's people held a festival in penance and Indra promised abundant dew for the coming crops in return for his release.
How it’s celebrated
Tall wooden poles (lingo) are raised at Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur to mark the start of the festival. Masked lakhe (demon) dancers perform in the streets, and on Kumari Jatra the child goddess is paraded through the old city in a wooden chariot alongside representations of Ganesh and Bhairab, drawing enormous crowds — traditionally also the day the country's leaders paid respects to her.
Tips for visitors
The Kumari's chariot procession through Kathmandu Durbar Square, Basantapur and Indra Chowk is one of the most distinctive living-culture spectacles in the valley.
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