Indra Jatra/Ananta Chaturdashi Brata/World Rabies Day/ International Day for Universal Access to Information | इन्द्रजात्रा (काठमाडौँ उपत्यका बिदा)/अनन्त चतुर्दशी व्रत/विश्व रेबिज विरुद्ध दिवस / अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सूचनामा विश्वव्यापी पहुँचको दिवस | 2080 Ashwin 11 | Hamro Patro

Indra Jatra: Relevance, history, and traditions.

'Yenya Poonhi'

Kathmandu is a city of history precisely a prehistoric city, the origin of the holy Pashupatinath region of Devadeva Mahadev is not mentioned in any scriptures or history copperplate or inscription, but the tolerance, culture, civilization and cultural heritage of this city has become an invaluable ancient asset to the world today.

There is a taste of civilization and peace in the soil and climate of Kathmandu and Kathmandu is not only a city of gods and temples but also a city of many festivals and ancient civilizations with diversity. Indra Jatra i.e. 'Yenya Poonhi' in Nepal language is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Basantapur, an ancient settlement of Kathmandu city.

When Kathmandu people captured Lord Indra
Let's start with the legend that Lord Indra of the heavens came to Kathmandu in human form to steal the flowers and Parijat required for the fast of Vasundhara Devi, his mother. As lord Indra stole flowers without asking permission from the gardener, they used their tantric power to find Indra and tied him up in the middle of the road.

The idols of Indra tied at Indrachowk, Kilagal and Naradevi in ​​Kathmandu are also displayed in high Dabali, stage. To free her son Indra, who was imprisoned by the people of Kathmandu, his mother herself came to Kathmandu and took Indra back, promising to give adequate fog and mists in return for her son. The legend that rice grows and ripens on time due to the same special fog in this season is still alive in the vernacular. The main function of Indrajatra is to set up a lingo (flag) and organize a rath yatra in a joyous atmosphere.

After the black book/ Goat, prepared for a special ritual by worshiping the tantric method, is left in the forest at Ugrachandi Nala in Kavre district, the first plant's leaf eaten by the goat is cut and the rainbow flag lingo on Ekadashi day is prepared from that tree.

The lingo prepared in this way is also called 'Yonsi' in the local Nepal language. The lingo is placed in front of the idol of the great Kal Bhairav ​​at Hanuman Dhoka in Basantapur Darwar Square. Once this Lingo holds high, Indra Jatra movement commences. However, this year is stagnant, we hope and wish the commemoration could be continued next year. The special lingo prepared in this way is decorated with various symbols and flags. Worship is done by placing a statue of an elephant with Indra at the base of the lingo.

History and process of Indra Jatra
In Kathmandu, the Indra Jatra is believed to have been practiced by the Lichchavikalin king Gunakamdev in the tenth century, while the Kumari Jatra is believed to have started in the mid-eighteenth century. On this day, the unprecedented tolerant relationship between the Buddhist Newa community of Kathmandu and the Newa communities of Hindu faith can be seen in Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Thus, the Newa community celebrates Indrajatra with joy and enthusiasm for eight days with various stages and cultural pageants.

Also, three days after the holding of the lingo, Kumari, Ganesh, and Akash Bhairav ​​(Savbhaku), who are living goddesses in the Basantapur Durbar Square area, have a tradition of making a rath yatra. It is also customary to stay awake all night at Indradaha in Dahchok, about 7.2 km west of Kathmandu, and take a bath the next day.

On the third day of the lingo procession, i.e. on the day of Yanlathwa Chaturdashi, the living goddess Kumari, Bhairav ​​and Ganesh, who has been considered by the Newar community as 'Kwahane Ya:', are placed in a chariot and circled in the lower half of the old Kantipur city of Kathmandu. In the evening of the same day, after the chariots of Ganesh, Bhairav ​​and Kumari have been circled, the families of those who have died during the year from Marutol go around Kantipur scattering Satvij.

No, let me correct my statement here, entire Kathmandu and Nepal celebrates the Indra Jatra for eight days. The head of the state and important personalities are present in this celebration, Indra Jatra is as immaculate and accurate as it was since centuries. These centuries-old journeys have continued. The monasteries and temples are not in the same condition after the earthquake to celebrate these processions that have been taking place in front of Basantapur Durbar Square and the heritages but the enthusiasm and hope get multiplied every year.

All need to unite for the traditional continuity of these cultural heritages and its protection. May the blessings of Indra remain, may the crops flourish in the country, and may peace dwell in the hearts of all, best wishes to the Nepalis of Indrajatra.

Ananta Chaturdashi


According to religious beliefs, when the Pandavas lost all their wealth and honor in gambling, they were living a miserable life in the forest with Mrs. Draupadi. At that time, Lord Krishna had requested Yudhisthira to fast reverently on this day. Following the advice of Lord Krishna, the five Pandavas methodically fasted on Ananta Chaturdashi, and the effect of this fast was that the Pandavas were liberated from their miserable lives.

Today is the day of worshiping and adoring Lord Anantnath (Lord Vishnu) and fasting with reverence. Chaturdashi of Bhadra Shukla side is called Ananta Chaturdashi.

ॐ अनन्ताय नम:

Worship method (Puja Method of Anant Chaturdashi)
Today in the morning by bathing etc. daily worship should be prepared with a pure mind. First of all, the urn should be installed and the Ashta Dal should be placed in it and the eternal God of Kush should be established. One should worship Lord Anantnath (Lord Vishnu) with a pure heart by placing an infinite sutra with fourteen knots in front of the urn. It is especially good to worship Ananta Chaturdashi during the day.

Best wishes

World Rabies Day | International Day for Universal Access to Information


Rabies is a virus called a neurotropic virus that causes rabies when it enters the body of an animal. September 28 is celebrated around the world as 'Anti-Rabies Day' by conducting various public awareness programs, and exchanging information about rabies, its prevention, and safety measures to be taken to prevent it. Most of us know about rabies and rabies is a disease that has been around for a long time with human civilization. The Egyptian civilization in the northeastern African region has a history of rabies dating back to 4300 years ago.

Aristotle and Rabies
On the other hand, a note written by the philosopher Aristotle 2300 years ago also mentions the fact that a rabies dog bites a person or a dog bites another animal, and people come in contact with those animals. This disease, which is transmitted by rabies, has posed a great challenge to human history and medical science. Nowadays, rabies can be cured promptly by using modern medical methods and vaccines, even after being bitten by such an animal, by injections, but if it is delayed and the virus is more effective, rabies can be fatal.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the most regular occurrences of human civilization, and the transmission of rabies was most prevalent in the 20th century, in settlements, communities, and cultures where animal contact and animal presence were widespread. With the onset of the 20th century, the incidence of rabies in developed countries and Central Europe most affected by rabies has been declining dramatically. The main reason for this is public awareness and vaccination against rabies. Now rabies infection is negligible in developed countries but in developing countries like ours, rabies infection is seen and heard even if it is sporadic. Stray dogs are found in every chowk and intersection in the main cities of Nepal.

The unmanaged presence of these dogs has increased the risk of people being bitten and injured, as well as the possibility of rabies infection.

Importance of September 28th
Authorized government bodies and stakeholders need to pay attention to the availability of anti-rabies vaccine and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) injection at government health posts after the rabies virus enters the body. September 28 is also the day of the death of Louis Pasteur, a French microbiologist, and he is remembered for his hard work in finding a vaccine against rabies and saving many lives.

Vaccinating pets, especially dogs, against rabies promptly, is necessary. Even if infected, special care must be taken to ensure that they do not come into contact with other infected animals. Today, rabies can be eradicated from the world if we are all aware of the potential for infection and health care and services, therapeutic and preventive methods.

The theme of this year's Rabies Day is Rabies: All for 1, One Health for all. This year aims to make everyone's health uniform and zero deaths due to rabies.

 May all be healthy and get cured

International Day for Universal Access to Information


Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019. The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).

If information is power, access to information is empowerment.

Finland and Sweden first agreed in their constitutions in 1766 to exchange information, believing that human development was possible only if everyone had access to information. It is because of the idea of bringing about this momentous change that people in the corners of the world now know the news of the moon and Mars and everywhere around the globe.

The theme of the Global Conference on Universal Access to Information 2023 is " the importance of the online space for access to information."

 With the expansion of information and communication technology, good governance, and prosperity, we will be able to live in an equal and transparent society. In particular, equal access to information and communication technology is considered essential for making education accessible to all and for facilitating online education and open learning. Certainly, the vision of modern education in the country will not be fulfilled without access to information technology in education.

At present, the Government of Nepal is emphasizing the need to increase investment in the development, expansion, and operation of information and communication technology, giving priority to this sector and allocating the budget. UNESCO is working to build a more transparent society by 2030 by making access to information more effective. No one can make any decision without access to information. Good luck to all of us on this important day.

Suyog Dhakal