Indrayani Jatra
Indrayani Jatra is an annual celebration held at Kathmandu, Nepal. The festival is held for eight days every year, starting on Marga Krishna Ekadashi (late November). The festival is celebrated by both Buddhist and Hindu communities together. The origin of the Jatra is unknown, but is believed to have been started by the Licchavi.The Maharjans, Dongols, Mahanthas, Thaku Jujus, Kasais, Manandhars take part in the Jatra. The festival starts on Trayodashi day. An idol of Indrayani is brought from Tyauda to the Dhalko temple on a palanquin. A special snake-offering oblation (Sarpahuti Yagya) is performed on the temple premises. In this ritual, a pair of snakes, two fishes, sparrows and grasshoppers are offered to the flame. During the puja, men stand guard at the temple's doors called Paa Pi Wonegu. During the festival, a 48 feet tall wooden pole called Yansi is raised inside the Indrayani Temple at Dhalko. The Bajracharyas of Thahity, Kathmandu bring their ancestral gods called Aju and Aji in the Indrayani Temple.