When I arrived at KTM on the 21th september, I've just missed Indra Jatra, dedicated to the Lord Indra, god of the rain, and King of Heaven. This feast is celebrated by Hinduists and Buddhists. During this 8 day festivity, Kumari Gahr, the living incarnation of Taleju, is carried out into the streets of Kathmandu for three days, in a special build chariot. Mostly dances and music are performed during this week at Hanuman Dohka, Basantapur and Durbar Square.
At 8 october Dasain starts, and it will take about 15 days to celebrate. The most important days are 9th, 10th, and 11th october. These celebration is actually for the renewal of community ties. Everybody in the family is given a Tika on the forhead as a blessing, given by the oldest one. And then everybody gives it to the younger ones in line. Afterwards there is dinner or lunch....The traffic in Kathmandu is almost empty, no traffic at all. Most of the people return during this period to their family in the villages around KTM. So it's more quiet in KTM. But still, they honking their horns, I do not know why, habit? ;-)
A Tika is made of rice and red vermillion. They put also grass in the hair, as soon as it becomes yellow, you can remove it. Also a few roepies is given to in a envelop. The youngest in the family is the lucky one, because she or he get's the most attention from everybody...
Next festivity to come is Tihar. A 5-day celebration...more to follow
