EDI Lens: Indra Jatra London: What a Nepalese Festival in London Teaches Us About Equity, Belonging & Identity!
- Pranay Raj Shakya
- Nov 24, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and lived experience as a proud member of the Newah community from Kathmandu, I write not just as a professional, but as someone personally invested in the ways culture, identity and belonging shape our shared society. My work in EDI has taught me that true inclusion goes far beyond mere policy, it lives in the spaces where communities come together, celebrate who they are, and feel seen. It is from this perspective that I reflect on the recent celebration of Indra Jatra in London, and what it teaches us about identity, representation, and intercultural belonging.
On 16th August 2025, the vibrant sounds of traditional drums, Nepal bhasa chants, and spirited dances filled the air in Feltham, London, as members of the Newah community and wider Nepali diaspora gathered to celebrate Indra Jatra, a centuries-old festival rooted in the spiritual and cultural heart of Kathmandu, Nepal.
But this was more than a moment of festive joy, it was a transformative act of representation, echoing across generations and cultural landscapes.
Indra Jatra, traditionally marked by the procession of the Living Goddess Kumari in Nepal, the dramatic unveiling of Swet Bhairabh, and community dances such as the Majipa Lakhey, is not merely a religious observance, but a living narrative of a people’s identity, and in diasporic contexts, a poignant claim to space, dignity, and visibility.
A Platform for Belonging in British Society
In the heart of multicultural London, the staging of such a sacred festival is a powerful example of how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) can be embodied in public life. It is a call to reimagine inclusion beyond policy frameworks, and into celebratory, culturally rooted practices that enable diasporic communities to see themselves reflected in the very fabric of British society.
Events like this are more than symbolic reflection of the community or ethnic rituals/practices. They serve as intercultural learning spaces, especially for young British-Nepali individuals who often navigate dual identities. For them, witnessing and participating in Indra Jatra offers not only cultural education but psychological validation and affirming that one can be both Nepali and British, with pride, nuance, and coherence.
Rooted Futures: Second Generation British Nepali Youth
For the second-generation British-Nepali youth, festivals like Indra Jatra are more than cultural showcases, they are identity anchors. In a society where young people often navigate questions of “Where do I belong?”, these celebrations provide both heritage pride and social confidence. They allow the younger generation to see their culture not as something distant, but as a living, breathing part of their British story, a source of strength, resilience, and belonging with their rich heritage and history.
Gems Within the Tapestry of Britain
This celebration also beautifully intersects with the evolving Britain-Nepal relationship, which spans over 200 years. In today’s pluralistic society, the contributions of Nepalese communities in the UK from the esteemed courage of the Gurkhas to second and third-generation youth population enriching the national narrative.
The presence of such a festival in London is not simply an act of heritage preservation; it is an elegant contribution to Britain’s multicultural tapestry, offering the wider public a glimpse into the richness of Nepalese tradition. It reminds us that inclusion is not about assimilation, but about coexistence with celebration.
UK University Students : Finding Home Away from Home
For many young Nepali students living and studying across the UK, festivals like Indra Jatra are more than cultural gatherings as they are lifelines of belonging. Students travelled from different parts of the country to take part, carrying with them the shared longing that often comes with being far from home. In the rhythms of the newah drums, the taste of traditional food, and the warmth of community, they found not just a celebration, but a moment of homecoming. Events like these ease the weight of homesickness and create spaces where young people can feel rooted, proud, and connected affirming that their heritage is not something left behind, but something carried along with them as they live parts of their British experience as students in the UK Universities.
EDI in Practice, Not Just Policy
As an EDI practitioner and race equity allyship trainer, what I witnessed in Feltham is a prime example of EDI in action where heritage, representation, and shared celebrations collide to create an inclusive public spaces for all. It is an invitation for policymakers, educators, and community leaders to expand the definition of inclusive practice to embrace community-led cultural expression.
Inclusion, after all, is not merely the absence of exclusion. It is the active, intentional presence of diverse voices, traditions, and identities seen, heard, and valued.
Lessons for EDI Practitioners
For EDI practitioners, Indra Jatra in London offers a reminder that inclusion is most powerful when it is lived, embodied, and celebrated. It shows how community-led cultural events create belonging in ways policies alone cannot, offering representation, intergenerational learning, and psychological safety. The lesson is clear: true equity thrives when organisations and societies make space for heritage, voice, and visibility alongside structures and strategies.
In Summary
The Indra Jatra celebration in London is a reminder that when communities are given the platforms to thrive, they do more than preserve tradition nonetheless, they enrich the collective cultural imagination of the places they call home.
A huge thank you and appreciation in order for Pasa Pucha Guthi UK members and volunteers, specially Ojesh Singh and his team for organizing this excellent showcase of culture, community spirit, and Newah identity in London.
As Britain continues to grapple with its complex identity in a global world, events like this provide cultural grace notes i.e. moments of beauty, learning, and solidarity that bring us all closer together.
✍️About the Author Pranay Raj Shakya is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead & Race Equity Allyship Trainer, L&D Consultant based in England. A proud member of the Newah community of Kathmandu, Nepal. Pranay brings together his professional expertise and lived experience to champion inclusive practices that go beyond policy into everyday life. His work is dedicated to creating spaces where identity, heritage, and belonging thrive side by side.
PHOTO GALLERY INDRA JATRA LONDON 2025
Disclaimer: Not all photos used in this article are my own. Some images have been sourced from Pasa Pucha Guthi UK (PPGUK) group pages and public posts online. Many thanks to the photographers who have captured these moments.
EDI Lens: London Indra-Jatra 2025
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