Sikkim Newar Guthi prepares for Indrajatra

GANGTOK, 18 Sept: The Indrajatra festival of the Newar community will be celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Gangtok on 29 September, 2012 under the auspices of Sikkim Newar Guthi. A press release from the Guthi informs that the day’s programme will include customary puja of deities, Jatra (procession), Bhoj and a cultural programme.
Indrajatra is traditionally celebrated for eight days commencing on Sukla Dwadashi of the month of Bhadra and continuing up to Chaturthi. On the third day, that is the Chaturdashi (29th of September this year), Kumari, the Living Goddess considered to be an incarnation of Goddess “Taleju”, is worshipped and the chariot of the Kumari, Ganesh and Vairab are drawn around after the prayers. Kumari is very deeply venerated and worshiped by Newars.
The release mentions that the preparatory work for the function is in the final stage. Classical Newar dances by artists from the Sakha Guthi of Dentam in West Sikkim and Mellidara in South Sikkim and musical performances by guest artists will be the highlight of the cultural programme.
The release also mentions that all members of the Newar community of the state are “eagerly waiting for this day to express their sincere gratitude in the most befitting manner to the State Government, especially the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for the historic decision taken to declare Indrajatra as a gazetted holiday from this year onwards.”
“The present Government, under the dynamic leadership of Pawan Chamling, has once again proved that it is committed to the preservation and development of the cultural heritage of all the communities of the state”, the release states.
Sikkim Newar Guthi has invited all to join the community in this function and make it successful in the true sense, the release adds.