Indra Jatra 2007

This was my first visit to Indra Jatra. I went to Kathmandu on on 28th Sept, Friday on an information that it might be the last day of Indra Jatra. I attended my class, and then rushed to Kathmandu. I was in quite a hurry because I didn't want to miss it at all, specially the chariot of Kumari. I got there to find out that it wasn't the last day. Whoa! It was a great news -- I'll be able to watch the jatra more than one day. I was at Basantapur, enjoying that evening with a red-festive aura all over. I went to visit Akash Bhairav, Shwet Bhairav, Kal Bhairav, the Lingo, and had an ample of chances to take beautiful photographs (so sad my camera was unable to take nice shots in low light). I got a chance to see a Lakhe, but when I turned my camera to take a shot, what I got was a lot of motion blur. So sad, the Lakhe had lost in the crowd, I was unable to capture him again. I returned back to my room at 8:45 that night.
The next day I had a meeting. I arrived at Basantapur at 5:20 keeping up in my mind that it was the last day of the jatra. So I roamed all over, again taking photographs. This day, a bad news was waiting for me. Guess what, it wasn't the last day of jatra. The very next day I had my classes, and it would have been unable for me to visit Basantapur. So trying to enjoy my last day of jatra with my friends, I went all over the place, looking for snaps. And, I can't explain my pleasure to see the Lakhe dance in full bloom. I even got to capture a close head-shot of the Lakhe dancer. That seemed more than a reward to me. It made me forgot all the sorrows of not visiting the last day of jatra, and not being able to see the chariot of Kumari. After that I went to see some ritual dances. Finally returned back home at 8:30.
The next day, on Sunday, I woke up to go for classes, although I was in no mood to attend it. When I reached the bus stop, someone told me that there are chances that today is a strike, and there won't be any classes. A light of hope illuminated into me, that may be I will be able to witness the last day as well. After waiting a few minutes, the bus came, and I boarded it (thinking that it was all false hope). All of a sudden, when I reached Jagati, the bus stopped to rest. We all came down to know what was the reason, why the bus had stopped? A person informed that there had been a strike that day and all the educational institutions need to remain shut. So the bus won't be allowed to go. It was something like the dream come true. The bus returned back to Kathmandu instantly. I went to home, had my lunch, and then went for a Meeting. After the meeting, I was very glad to meet my friends at Basantapur. That day, finally, I saw the chariots, and even took shots of them. Watching Pulukishi was very enjoyable. The chariot of Kumari was delayed so we went to the location where the chariot had been jammed due to Pulukishi. We even tried to get as near to the chariot as possible to take a good snap, but all in vain. We roamed around for a while, and then I returned back home at 8:00. Although full of fatigue, I felt quite fresh and the pleasure of the jatra recurring inside me every now and then. I was really very happy that day.
These were a short account of the pleasing moments the Jatra. It was really very enjoyable. It was my friends who made it a memorable event, without which I would have lost in the jatra, without enjoying. I hope I could come to jatra every year.
P.S.: You can see some of the photographs at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aks.abhishek/IndraJatra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aksinc/sets/72157602231976396/