Today is an Ekadasi - the 11th day of the bright half of the lunar month of Bhadra, and on this day, Lord  Vishnu, aka Hari, turns over on His thousand-headed serpentine bed, thus marking the midway turning point in His summer siesta.    So, roll over Hari and carry on with your snooze... 





The next day Indra Jatra begins with the raising of Indra's victourious standard (dhvaja) in Hamuman Dhoka, This standard is a tall pole made from a pine tree, especially selected in a forest outside of Bhaktapur, and dragged over several days to Kathmandu by men of the various towns along the way.  Finally, the pole is raised in Hanuman Dhoka by men of the Manadhar caste (oil pressers).  From that moment on, Indra Jatra has officially begun.


A spirit of worshipful revelry reigns thereafter in the streets of the old city.  Masked dancers, dressed as various mythological characters, fierce and mischievous run through the streets, taunting and teasing the crowd.
General inebriation is the rule of the days...


Imbibing from the mouth of the White Bhairav
More to come...

Love and Pranams
Billy