Eight days Indrajatra 2022 to be celebrated in Sikkim

Gangtok, 17/07/2022: “Indra Jatra” the Biggest Festival for the “Newar” community is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Sikkim State every year. This year, the celebration would be an eight days long programme and is proposed to be organised with pomp and glory in the State capital, Gangtok from 2nd to 9th September 2022.

A high-level coordination meeting was held at Newar Bhawan, Sichey, Gangtok on 17th July 2022 to finalize the programmes and events. The meeting was graced by Hon’ble Advisor, Labour Department, Government of Sikkim Shri Manoj Pradhan, Shri Prashant Pradhan Chairman NHPC (Sikkim), Advisors and Central Executive Committee of Sikkim Newar Guthi amongst others.

Shri Nirmal Kumar Pradhan, President, Sikkim Newar Guthi coordinated the session and stressed the need to organise the Indrajatra event in a grand manner to showcase our rich cultural heritage and traditions.

It was finalised that the Indrajatra 2022 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 Lord Indra and Goddess Kumari Jatra on 9th September 2022 at Bhanu Udhyan, Gangtok.

On the 6th and 7th days i.e. on dated 7th and 8th, September 2022, exhibition stalls and cultural programmes are to be organised at M.G. Marg, Gangtok. The exhibition includes Newa Khaja Ghar with Aiela & Sagun, 84 Vanjyan, Photo/Art Gallery, Traditional Music Instruments & Costumes, Aachar, Handicraft and handloom, etc. The evening programmes at M.G. Marg would host various competitions such as Bhaju Maeju Sikkim (Mr. and Miss Newar Sikkim) and Traditional Dance and Music Competition. Various Cultural programs will also be organized by the presentation of Lakhey dance - a popular Newar dance along with the play of Dhimey and Daa which are traditional Newar musical instruments, etc. Ethnic Aachar Making, Essay, Poem and Painting Competition are also to be organised. This would also be an attraction to the tourists from India and abroad visiting the State. The event would be fully organic and eco-friendly without the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable substances.

The final day event i.e. on 9th September 2022 would begin at Bhanu Udhyan with the worship of various deities including Lord Indra followed by the chariot (rath) procession of Goddess Kumari, the living Goddess accompanied by drum beats, masked dance performances (lakhey) and various dance performances. The procession will end at Manan Bhawan which is scheduled to host cultural programmes, award distributions, felicitations, the launch of Newar magazines “Smarika” & “PAU” and 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.

During the meeting, the Indra Jatra Committee was also formed with Shri Narayan Pradhan as Chairman, Shri Dhiraj Pradhan and Smt Rohini Pradhan as Vice-Chairpersons, Shri Raj Mohan Pradhan as General Secretary and Shri Swagat Pradhan as 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.