The festival of Indra Jatra is celebrated for eight days. Throughout the festival, people from all over Nepal gather at the Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu. During this festival, three chariots of Lord Ganesh, Lord Bhairab, and Goddess Kumari are pulled in Kathmandu valley. Lots of other dances are performed during this festival.
Lakhey Dance: (Picture of Lakey)
Indra Jatra is being celebrated in Kathmandu valley for more than 2500 years now. The festival was started by Malla Kings. After take over by Shah Dynasty, the Shahs were wholehearted and did allow to run all cultural event in Kathmandu without any interruption. They were happy to learn and view Newari cultural events not only in Kathmandu but also in Bhakatpur, Laliptur, and Shaku.
Indra Jatra Scandal: (Picture of Kal-Bhairab) 
But the irony, it has not been too long, not more than two months now, the new government lead by Maoist has threaten not only to interrupt but also to destroy our culture. For the first time in history the chariot has been stopped and the festival is in jeopardy.
Indra Jatra Scandal started as the new government lead by Maoist interrupted the great festival of Newari Culture “Indra Jatra” by cutting off money for the celebration of the Jatra.
Government Policy: (Picture of Swet-Bhairab)
The new Finance Minister, Babu Ram, in his budget for the next fiscal year not only cut off money for the celebration of cultural festivals in Kathmandu but also cut off money to be given away to the people (Lakhey, Pulukisi, and Bharab) involved in running this festival in the name of “UNNECESSARY EXPENSES”.
Nepal has been earning lots of foreign currencies by means of royalty through foreigners visiting Nepal, through Newari Cultural Events, especially in Kathmandu Valley. How can this government forget this??. Tourists from all over the world visit Nepal due to our culture, to visit temples, most importantly to get a glimpse of the Living Goddess in the whole world “Lord Kumari”.
"The Finance Minister must realize that money spent to run our culture is not an EXPENSE but INVESTMENT."
Protest: (Picture of Newari community against government policy)
We all Newari community people of this Valley (Kathmadu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Sakhu) must be united in this situation and fight against this decision of Maoist to cut off money for the festival. This festival has been running without any obstacle even after the take over by Shah Dynasty over Malla Dynasty.
ReplyDeleteJhi Newa pe chau jui ma
Tho Sonija Jui kha
I agree with you opinion Newa. Who do the Maiost think they are and what do they think they are up to. In My opinion all of us must be untied at this time and fight against the decision of this government to cut off expenses to run our culture.
ReplyDeleteWe, Newari Community, are stunned by the Government's decision to cut off expenses to run our culture in the name of unnecessary expense. What we believe is the royalty that the government collects from tourist only in Kathmandu Durbar Square (place where the Indra Jatra beings) is more than enough to carry out not only Indra Jatra but all festivals in Nepal.
ReplyDeleteI have question to Finance Minister, Babu Ram, he has increased wage of all government officer by Rs. 2000 and he will be giving out the wages from the royalty the government gets from visiting tourist. Tourists visit Nepal as we, Newari Community, are preserving our culture, not the government. He must realize this and correct this decision.
We all, not only Newari Community, but also all Nepalese Citizen are against the government decision.