Second Day of Indra Jatra: Kumari Puja at Hanuman Dhoka (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: Kumari Puja has been observed at Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.
This Kumari Puja is performed on Bhadra Trayodashi.

There is a ritual of young girls, whose weaning ceremony ‘Annaprasana‘ has been performed but the Bel Bibaha is yet to be completed, to participate in the Puja. There is a religious belief that the young girl will be protected from various diseases and have high immunity power after having prasad from the worship in the ceremony.

People believe that observation of Kumari Puja will protect the nation from evil, children will be healthier and all the obstacles will be cleared in the life of the young girls. World Hindu Federation has been organizing Kumari Puja by worshipping 504 Kumari (Young girls) in Hanuman Dhoka Durbar premises.

After the completion of rituals of the Puja, the girls included in the worship will be taken to pay homage to Taleju Bhawani by playing traditional instruments. The ritual of Kumari Puja is completed after making the girls visit the temples of gods and goddesses on the premises of the Hanuman Dhoka.

(Glimpses of Kumari Puja)

(Photo Courtesy: Saroj Basnet)