Kathmandu, Bhadra. Preparations are underway to bring the *Indradhwaja* pole—an essential element of Kathmandu's historic and cultural festival, Indra Jatra.
In accordance with tradition, a suitable tree is selected and felled in the Chittapol forest of Bhaktapur to serve as the pole, which is then transported to Kathmandu. After being brought in with prescribed rituals, the pole is worshipped and erected at Basantapur within the Hanuman Dhoka Palace complex.
The erection of the pole formally marks the commencement of the various religious and cultural activities associated with Indra Jatra. The process of bringing the pole is considered a significant aspect of the festival, as it is accompanied by traditional music and cultural processions.
Indra Jatra is a major cultural festival of the Kathmandu Valley. During the festival, various religious and cultural events take place in the Hanuman Dhoka area, including the worship of deities and the chariot processions of Kumari, Ganesh, and Bhairav.
Cultural experts note that the tradition of erecting the pole holds religious, cultural, and historical significance, as it signals the formal beginning of Indra Jatra.
