What is Indra Jatra? Sikkim's 'Newar' community carry masked rallies observing Kumari Puja

Indra Jatra, a festival of the Newar community which is one of the ethnic communities that prevails in Sikkim was celebrated across Sikkim with full enthusiasm. Indra Jatra celebration begins at Gangtok by Sikkim Newar Guthi. 

On this occasion Minister Sanjeet Kharel along with PHE Minister Bhim Hang Subba, Minister UDHD L.B Das, Political secretary to CM Jackob Khaling, OSD to CM Bhanu Pradhan along with other dignitaries were present in the program.

The celebration also saw the Kumari Puja which is an important Puja for the day. 

Various dance troupes, who were part of the Indra Jatra celebration presented cultural dances at the event.

Indra Jatra or Yenya is the biggest festival for the Nepalese “NEWAR” community in Sikkim and is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the state. 

Named after the Hindu God of Rain and also the King of Heaven, Lord Indra, the festival’s prime objective is to seek his blessings in the form of rains and showers. Huge chariot processions accompanied with eclectic drum beats, masked dance performances, and various classical dance performances are the integral elements of this vibrant festival that takes the streets of Gangtok in great awe of its cultural harmony. Needless to say, for cultural aficionadas, sociologists and anthropologists, this is one of the best times to plan their trip to Sikkim and other parts of North East.

While it is predominantly a Nepalese festival, it is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the Nepalese Newar Gutthi community in Sikkim too and was introduced here in the year 2000 followed by its declaration as the state holiday in 2011

Indra Jatra is one of the biggest festivals celebrated with much fanfare by the Newar community and is celebrated to pay tribute to Lord Indra and seek his blessings for a good harvest for the devotees.