Hindus, Buddhists summon rain in Nepal

Kathmandu Sep 5 (IANS) Thousands of Hindus and Buddhists on Tuesday summoned rain during the celebration of the Indra Jatra festival here and prayed to God Indra for good harvest.

Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other senior officials participated in the festive events held at the Basantapur Durbar Square a site that features on the United Nations cultural agency world heritage list Efe news agency reported.

"This festival is an honor to Lord Indra God of rain and good harvest for his blessings to the devotees " religious leader Ram Chandra Gautam told Efe about the festival which began on Sunday and will go for the rest of the week.

For centuries Nepalese kings had presided over the festivities until the country s transition to a republic in 2008.

--IANS
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