Indra Jatra, one of Kathmandu’s biggest annual festivals, opened on Wednesday with the traditional erection of the Indra flagpole at Hanumandhoka.

The flagpole, known as the lingo, was raised at the auspicious hour of 7:47am in the Kal Bhairav area of Hanumandhoka, formally marking the start of the eight-day festival.

The ritual was carried out with the assistance of the Nepali Army.

Dedicated to Indra, the Hindu god of rain and prosperity, the festival features traditional music, masked dances, religious rituals and chariot processions. It is a shared celebration of Kathmandu’s Newar community, observed by both Hindus and Buddhists.

The festival’s main procession will take place on Friday, when the chariot of Kumari, the living goddess, will be taken through the lower parts of Kathmandu.