Indra Jatra, known as the biggest festival of the Kathmandu Valley, formally began on Friday with the erection of a wooden ceremonial pole (lingo) and the fluttering of a flag named after the Hindu God Indra at Hanumandhoka.

The festival dedicated to Indra, the god of rain and king of heaven, is celebrated for eight days. During the celebrations, Lakhe dances are performed on the streets of Kathmandu. The dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal with performers wearing Lakhe costume and masks.

Meanwhile, the lingo that was brought to Hanumandhoka from a jungle in Bhaktapur has been raised with the help from Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and locals. The lingo-erection procession was marked with fanfare and shots of gunfire.