Gangtok, 16/08/2023: “Indrajatra” the biggest festival for the “Newar” community is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the State every year. This year, the celebration would be eight days long Kumari Puja with three days of various activities and programmes. The Celebrations are to be organised with great pomp and glory in the State capital, Gangtok from 22nd to 29th September 2023.
A high-level coordination meeting was held at Newar Bhawan, Sichey, Gangtok on 16th August 2023 to finalise the programmes and events. The meeting was chaired by Shri Nirmal Kumar Pradhan, President of Sikkim Newar Guthi, He addressed the meeting house and stressed the need to organise the Indra Jatra event in a grand manner to showcase our rich cultural heritage and traditions.
It was finalised that the Indrajatra 2023 puja and rituals would be carried out for entire 8 days with 7 days of puja including Lingo and Dagini puja at Newar Bhawan leading to the final day of Indra and Kumari puja on 29th September 2023 at Bhanu Park, Gangtok.
On the 6th and 7th day i.e. on 27th and 28th September 2023, exhibition stalls and formal programmes are to be organised at M.G. Marg, Gangtok. NewaKhaja Ghar with Aiela &Sagun, 84 Byanjan/Food Display, Photo/ Art Gallery, Traditional Music Instruments & Costumes, Aachar, Handicraft and handloom exhibitions, exhibitions by our young entrepreneurs, etc. are to be organised at MG Marg, Gangtok.
On 28th September 2023, finals of various competitions such as BhajuMaejuSikkim as well as Traditional Newar Dance and Music Competitions were to be held at Manan Bhawan, Gangtok. Appreciations and felicitation to the newar achievers of Sikkim will also be one of the leading programmes of the day.
The final day event i.e. on 29th September 2023 would begin at Bhanu Park with the worship of various deities including Lord Indra followed by the chariot (rath) procession of Kumari, the living Goddess accompanied by drum beats, masked dance performances (Lakhey) and various dance performances. Various Cultural programs will also be organized by the presentation of the Lakhey dance - a popular Newar dance along with the play of Dhimey and Daa which are traditional Newar musical instruments, etc.
This would also be an attraction to tourists from India and abroad visiting the State.
The procession will end at Manan Bhawan which is scheduled to host cultural programmes, award distributions, felicitations, the launch of the Annual Newar magazine “Smarika” and “PAU” and finally culminating the celebrations with a Grand Musical Gala event. Large numbers of Newars from all over the State and outside are expected to gather for this auspicious event at the State Capital. All the events and programmes would be fully eco-friendly without using plastics and other non-biodegradable substances.
During the course of the meeting, the IndraJatra Committee was also formed with Shri Mahendra Pradhan, (Treasurer) as Chairman, Shri Mahendra Pradhan, (Vice President) and Smt. Hom Kumari Pradhan as Vice-Chairpersons, Dr. Sushen Pradhan as General Secretary and Smt. Rohini Pradhan as Treasurer and Shri Swagat Pradhan as Assistant Treasurer. Various other sub-committees were also formed for various assignments and responsibilities. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by the Vice-president, Sikkim Newar Guthi.
