Kathmandu, September 13
Preparations for Indra Jatra have begun with an auspicious ceremony marking the start of the traditional forest journey to select and cut a tree for the festival’s ceremonial linga.
Every year, on Bhadrapada Shukla Dwitiya, the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Development Committee sets an auspicious time for the forest journey to begin and for the tree to be cut for the ceremonial pole.
Janak Pokhrel, chief legal officer and spokesperson for Guthi Sansthan, told that the auspicious ceremony was performed at Basantapur Durbar Square at 9:53 am on Sunday.
Following the auspicious time set by the committee, the Guthi Sansthan team travelled to Nala Community Forest in Tanthali, located in Changunarayan Municipality-9 of Bhaktapur, to select and cut a tree for the Indra Jatra Linga.
According to Guthi Sansthan employee Ramesh Kafle, pine trees for both Indra Jatra and Bisket Jatra have traditionally been brought from the same community forest.
After reaching the forest, the tree, sword and khadga (ceremonial sword) will be worshipped before the tree is cut at 8:47 pm, the auspicious time set by the committee.
The tradition also includes Tantric rituals and a goat sacrifice before the tree is cut.
Guthi Sansthan signs an agreement with the community forest to obtain the tree for Indra Jatra. For Bisket Jatra, however, the tree is procured through a tender process, according to the Sansthan.
—RSS
