Yenya Punhi | Indra Jatra in Bhaktapur

Indra Jatra, most commonly known as Yenya in Nepal Bhasa is the biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. Ye means "Kathmandu" and Ya means "celebration", together it means "celebration inside Kathmandu" in Nepal Bhasa. It is also one of the major festivals celebrated in Bhaktapur which has different celebration events with different local folk stories from that of Kathmandu.

Pulukisi in Taumadhi

Indra Jatra was started by King Gunakamadeva to commemorate the founding of Kathmandu city in the 10th century. The celebrations are held according to the lunar calendar, so the dates are changeable. This year (2020), the festival takes place from 30th August to 6th September.

Gathamaga Charhe

Gathamaga Charhe, also known as Gathemangal is one of the famous one-day festival celebrated in the Newar community. It is celebrated each year on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi which lies in the month of June/July. On this day people make a demon-like dummy from straw and other things representing a devil and later burn it taking far away in order to cleanse devils from the society. It is also said that mosquito loses its one leg on this day. People nowadays also named this festival as Ghanta Karna but some people say that Ghanta Karna and Gathamaga are different.

SITHI NAKHA | A NEPALESE CELEBRATION OF "RAIN BABY" KUMAR

Sithi Nakha is one of the important festivals in the Newar community which is celebrated every year on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Jestha. This year it is on Thursday 15th Jestha, 2077 BS or 28th May 2020 AD. Sithi Nakha marks the first rain of the season before the full monsoon torrents begin to fall hence ending the dry season. It also marks the birthday of Kumar Kartikeya, the elder son of Shiva and Parvati, and the archetypal "rain baby" for the Nepalese people. The festival is celebrated in honor of Kumar, hence this day is also known as Kumar Shasthi. People worship the Pikhalakhu (a place outside the household) by drawing Mandap resembling Kumar.

Sithi Nakha also marks the end of the seven-week Dewali Puja (Digu Puja) period, during which people worship their family deity 'Digu Dya' on their particular day. By the day of Sithi Nakha, the Newar people must complete Dewali Puja. The Dewali Puja is of special significance as the newly married daughters-in-law are welcomed in the family. The Dewali Puja also includes an event of going to the open field for worshiping the family deity, where it is located in an aboriginal condition. Besides, the family members sit together and have a ritual feast.

Subarneshwor Mahadev Temple | Luchu Mahadyo

Subarneshwor Mahadev temple, also known as "Luchu Mahadyo" in local newari tongue is one of the famous temple in Bhaktapur which has great religious value. It is located at Gundu, south of Bhaktapur city in walking distance of about 30-45 minutes from Suryabinayak Chowk. This place is also known for best place to visit inside Bhaktapur leaving the choas city life.

Picture taken at 1985 AD, Photo Museum Nepal

Myth of Luchu Mahadyo

There is a myth about Luchu Mahadyo which is popular among the locals. Many years ago, when a worshipper is worshipping the god, the prayer plate touched the god. At the same time, that prayer plate converted into a gold which is very precious gem. Knowing this, people then came from different part and worshipped mahadev for the gold and then people started referring as mahadev that gives gold. This is how 'Luchu Mahadyo' name is given. In Newari, 'Lun' means gold.

Sakotha | Safu-kotha, a Medieval Library

Sakotha lies to the east of Bhaktapur Durbar Square and north of Taumadhi Square. Name of this place seemed to be derived from the name of medieval library Safu Kotha. In Nepal(Newari) Language, Safu means 'Book' and kotha means 'room'. Today the main house where the library was established is partially destroyed by recent earthquake in April 2015.

Cr. Prajen Gwala Bhadel

When Lichhaviees first came to Nepal that is today's Kathmandu Valley, they brought many more valuable manuscripts to Nepal and set up a library in Bhakapur and named it 'Safu Kotha'. The written history of Nepal began from Lichhaviees King Mandev, so it is also said that Safukotha is the first library of Nepal. Today this place is called Sokatha. Sakotha was famous for oriental philosophy and tantrism in 13th to 17th Century. It is said that there were more than 14000 manuscripts in the Library during that time. Bhaktapur was the main capital city before the unification of Nepal.

Biska Jatra

Biska Jatra also known as Bisket Jatra is one of the famous festival / jatra celebrated in Bhaktapur city. Biska Jatra is also celebrated in other places with Newari community like Thimi, Tokha etc but in Bhaktapur it is a special one. It is nine days and eight nights festival that witnesses huge local participants along with thousands of visitors. Very few people know that this festival is also referred as a festival that is celebrated two years, two months and two days. I will explain it in this article later.

Bhailakha at Nyatapola

Biska Jatra starts from last 4th day of month Chaitra and ends on 5th of Baisakh according to Bikram Sambat Calendar. In simple, if month Chaitra has 30 days, then Biska Jatra starts at 27th and if it has 31 days, Biska Jatra starts at 28th day of Chaitra. Biska Jatra involves pulling of chariots like tug of war from two sides, erecting around 55 feet long Yo:sing (wooden pole) and worshipping them and other deities.

Biska Jatra commences after a special Tantric ritual in the Bhairav temple in Taumadhi Tole in Bhaktapur. God Bhairav is placed in three storeyed large chariot known as "Bhailakha" in local tongue and Goddess Bhadrakali is placed in two storeyed small chariot known as "Nakinjukhacha" in local tongue. God Bir Betal also sits in Bhailakha. Both chariots are then pulled by crowds to take them to designated place.

Biska Jatra is said to be started by Malla King of Bhaktapur - Jagajyoti Malla around 3-4 centuries ago. He was fascinated by myth and folklore, and it was due to a particularly intriguing myth that Biska Jatra was established as an annual event. Biska Jatra was originally called "Bisyaku Jatra". In Newari, "bi" means snake and "syaku" means slaughter/kill) which reveals the myth of slaughter of snakes.

Myths behind Biska Jatra

There is a myth that this celebration is the "festival after the death of the serpent". According to the myth, once there was a beautiful princess but it was unfortunate that anyone who marry her, found dead the next day. It's cause remained mystery to everyone until once young man risked marrying her despite knowing the result. His elderly mother forbade him from doing so, but then another old lady offered some advice to the young lad for his safety.

Nyatapola

Legend tells of the days when the angry god Bhairab was causing havoc in society (1702 AD). Bhairab’s temple stood in Taumadhi Square. To counteract his destructive behavior the king decided to call goddess Parvati, then Parvati took the form of Siddhi Lakshmi and then carried Bhairav in her hand and built a more powerful temple on the honor of Siddhi Lakshmi(Parvati) right in front of the Bhairab Temple. To make the brick and wood temple strong and powerful, King Bhupatindra Malla ordered guardians be placed in pairs on each level of the base leading up to the Nyatapola Temple. On the first level is a pair of likenesses of Bhaktapur’s strongest man, Jaya mal Pata, a famous wrestler. Next, two elephants followed by two lions, two griffins and finally “Baghini” and “Singhini”, the tiger and lion goddesses. After subduing Bhairab, peace prevailed in the city. The Temple is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu Valley and stands 30m high. It was so well designed that it withstood a powerful 8.3 earthquake in 1934. The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple and only the priests are allowed to enter to worship her. The five-storeyed temple, locally known as Nyatapola, is an impressive and famous temple of Nepal, standing in the northern side of Taumadhi square in Bhaktapur. This is the only temple that is named after the dimension of architecture rather than from the name of the deity residing inside. The temple was erected within a short period of less than five months by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1701/1702 A.D. In the present context of work-schedule, planning and programming, it is very difficult to believe that the temple was erected within that short period of time. But it was the fact. The incidents are recorded day by day.
If we look at the calendar of construction it gives us an interesting picture of the spirit of the people and speed of the work accomplished within such a short period of time. The speed of work done in religious faith can never be accomplished in modern-day society run by materialistic considerations.

Nava Durga

Nava Durga Dance

From a religious point of view, the shrine of Nava Durga the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga has a high place in Bhaktapur. Nava Durga is also the combination of nine protective mother Goddess of the city. The three storied shrine which lies in Kwathando-4, Bhaktapur also popular for the its elaborately carved windows and doors. It seems huge crowd of devotees during Dashain (October), the greatest festival of Hindu in nepal. A wood carved window and the northern facade displays the Chariot of Bhairav which has its own importance and significance.

Kamalbinayak

Kamal Pokhari

Besides Surya Vinayak two other Ganesh Shrines surround Bhaktapur. One of these Ganesh’s temples is Kamal Binayak, which is located just to the northeast of town, along the Nagarkot road at Kamal Pokhari. This temple of Ganesh, is mostly visited by the local people for the purpose of giving ability to quickly learn and speak their children. Besides, it is also a well known place for its peaceful environment and among youths, couples to spend their idle time.

Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near the Changunarayan village in Bhaktapur. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley(Bhaktapur) a World Heritage Site.

Known as the biggest among the Narayans, Changu Narayan has greater importance than the others. It is situated at the top of the hill. One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty.

Changu Narayan Temple