Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 The Raising of the Yosin [Video story] Indra Jatra festival begins with the erection of 19 meter long pole Indra Jatra, one of Kathmandu's most important festivals, began on Tuesday. Locals call this festival Yanya Punhi. Normally this festival lasts for eight days but this year according to a calculation of the lunar calendar, it will last for only seven days. The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm by Hindus and Buddhists alike. This is a proof of religious harmony in Nepal. The festival begins when a long wooden pole "Yosin" is erected in front of Hanuman Dhoka. Hanuman Dhoka used to be a royal palace in ancient times. The palace area is full of beautiful wooden temples and is listed as a world heritage site. The Yosin is made by a tree located at Sallaghari, in the outskirts of Kathmandu. The Yosin should preferably be 63 feet long (19 meters). However if they are unable to find one of that height, they can go for 48 feet (14.6 meters) or 33 feet (10 meters). Hundreds of locals gathered at Hanuman Dhoka to erect this Yosin on Tuesday morning. The traditional procession was organized by a committee of Manandhars, a clan within the Newar community. The Newars have been living in the Kathmandu valley since ancient times. They had their own state until Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, who unified Nepal, attacked and defeated the last Malla King of Kathmandu on the same day as Indra Jatra. When I arrived they were preparing to erect the Yosin. Priests were offering pooja. On the top of the Yosin pole, they attached a red flag. This is considered to be "Indra Dhowj," the flag of the god Indra, the king of heaven to whom the festival is devoted. A fruit called Bhogate was also placed on the top of the pole. At the auspicious time of 9.09 a.m., the erection process began. Soldiers fired blank shots in the air and played an auspicious tune. Local youths hoisted the pole into position using ropes. Within a few minutes, it was erected successfully. And thus, Indra Jatra or Yanya Puni formally began. According to the elderly locals we talked to there, the Indra Jatra festival has been celebrated here from the ancient Lichhavi era. But this Yosin erection procession is believed to have been started by Pratap Shah, son of Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha, who conquered Kathmandu and sat on the throne after ousting local Malla king Jaya Prakash Malla. After completing the erection process, the Gurju ya Paltan, symbolic army of the Gorkha king offered a "sahi salami" (royal salute) in front of the "khadga" (a traditional weapon) brought from the palace. Traditionally at this point the army band of the modern Nepali army also plays a national anthem, however parliament has announced that it will scrap the anthem because it is too royal. Related Articles Nepal's Indra Jatra Festival The festival continues for the next seven days and during this time there will be much rejoicing, dancing and feasting. http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=315615&rel_no=1 How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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