The Kumari festival is a part of the Indra Jatra festival in which the primary purpose is to worship the God Indra. During Indra Jatra, occurring in September, the Living Goddess in all her jeweled splendor travels through the older part of Kathmandu city in a three-tiered chariot made of wood accompanied by Lord Ganesha and Bhairab for three days. Kathmandu celebrates a great festival of Indra Jatra the god of rain is worshiped for good weather and good crops. During another important Hindu festival, Dashain on the "black night" or kalratri, 108 buffaloes and 108 goats are brought to the courtyard of the Taleju temple and tethered to stone pillars. The heads are then severed and taken up to the temple as offerings to Goddess Taleju.
A girl remains the Kumari until she reveals any signs that show her to be human rather than divine. Should a Kumari fall ill, a doctor may be summoned only if the illness is so serious that she is first declared to be no longer a goddess. Under normal circumstances, her days in the god-house come to an end with her first menstruation, but if she turns out to be unlucky, as people say, even a minor scratch that bleeds can make her invalid for worship. She then changes back to the status of normal mortal and the search for a new Kumari begins. she immediately ceases to be regarded as a goddess, goes through final rituals, and hands back her jewels and red attire. The spirit of the goddess is said to have vacated her body. She now returns to her family, after living the life of luxury as a goddess.
Friday, August 13, 2010
MACHHINDRANATH JATRA
Machhindranath, Buddhist deity of water and rain. Revered by medieval kings in Kathmandu Valley as guardian deity of Kathmandu Valley Distinguished as RATO MACHHENDRANATH (red) of patan and SETO MACHHENDRANATH (white) of Kathmandu. Feted in various festivals like BHOTO JATRA and public bathing ritual. The chariot is towed through the streets of Patan by throngs of devotees every day. Each day, it is put to rest in one of the many venerated spots in the city. This goes on for a month until it comes to rest in Jawalakhel and end with the Bhoto Jatra, another major festival, during which the bejewelled ‘bhoto’ of Machhindranath is displayed to the public.
Legend says it was given to a farmer by Karkot Naga in reward for curing eye ailment of his Queen. But it got stolen. After sometime when the farmer was attending Machhindranath festival at Jawalakhel, he saw someone wearing the same vest. A quarrel ensued between the farmer and the man wearing the vest. Karkot Naga was also at the festival in human form. He settled the quarrel and submitted the Bhoto to Machhindranath for safe keeping. From that day on every year the Bhoto is shown to the people assuring them that it is safe.
The longest running chariot festival in Lalitpur recreates this event in hope for good rain. It is known as Bundyo to local Newars. The festival begins with the construction of the chariot in Pulchowk and ends with the Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel. It is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus of Newar community by carrying the chariot to different places in the town of Patan.
Legend says it was given to a farmer by Karkot Naga in reward for curing eye ailment of his Queen. But it got stolen. After sometime when the farmer was attending Machhindranath festival at Jawalakhel, he saw someone wearing the same vest. A quarrel ensued between the farmer and the man wearing the vest. Karkot Naga was also at the festival in human form. He settled the quarrel and submitted the Bhoto to Machhindranath for safe keeping. From that day on every year the Bhoto is shown to the people assuring them that it is safe.
The longest running chariot festival in Lalitpur recreates this event in hope for good rain. It is known as Bundyo to local Newars. The festival begins with the construction of the chariot in Pulchowk and ends with the Bhoto Jatra festival in Jawalakhel. It is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus of Newar community by carrying the chariot to different places in the town of Patan.
CULTURE OF MIDDLE HILLS AND VALLEY OF NEPAL
Kirati: They are decendents of the Kirati's who first formed the kingdom in the Kathmandu Valley. They now mainly live in far eastern Nepal. Kirati people are well known for their courage and bravery and are often recruited into armies abroad like the more famous Gurkhas. The religious text of Limbu is the Mundhum.
Newars: Newars are mainly settled in Kathmandu Valley and in major trading centers throughout the kingdom. They have Mongolian features and their own language and script, Newari, believed to have its origin from Tibeto-Burmans. Hinduism and Buddhism are their main religions. Trade and farming are their main occupations.
Magars: Their origin is basically found in hill regions of western Nepal. Their language, Magar Kura, depicts their affinity to the Tibetan-Burmese tongue and culture. Farming, military service, weaving, hunting, and fishing are their major occupations.
Gurungs: They are mostly settled along the higher slopes of the Annapurna areas and the Kali Gandaki river above the Baglung district. They are farmers of rice and grains and also sheep. They are ethnically related to Magars, Thakalis and Kiratis in eastern Nepal. The Gurung people love music and they have their own language.
Brahmin and chhetris: Two large groups distributed in scattered patterns all over the country, which are considered the two highest castes in Nepal. . Brahmins are believed to have migrated from India while Chhetris are from the present day Khasa people from Khasi. They are divided into two major streams, the Purba and Umai. The Kumain people are of the origin of Kumo, Northern India, and Uttar Pradesh. Their social practices depend upon Hindu religious epics. They speak Nepali, the national language of Nepal and use a script with basis in Sanskrit.
Newars: Newars are mainly settled in Kathmandu Valley and in major trading centers throughout the kingdom. They have Mongolian features and their own language and script, Newari, believed to have its origin from Tibeto-Burmans. Hinduism and Buddhism are their main religions. Trade and farming are their main occupations.
Magars: Their origin is basically found in hill regions of western Nepal. Their language, Magar Kura, depicts their affinity to the Tibetan-Burmese tongue and culture. Farming, military service, weaving, hunting, and fishing are their major occupations.
Gurungs: They are mostly settled along the higher slopes of the Annapurna areas and the Kali Gandaki river above the Baglung district. They are farmers of rice and grains and also sheep. They are ethnically related to Magars, Thakalis and Kiratis in eastern Nepal. The Gurung people love music and they have their own language.
Brahmin and chhetris: Two large groups distributed in scattered patterns all over the country, which are considered the two highest castes in Nepal. . Brahmins are believed to have migrated from India while Chhetris are from the present day Khasa people from Khasi. They are divided into two major streams, the Purba and Umai. The Kumain people are of the origin of Kumo, Northern India, and Uttar Pradesh. Their social practices depend upon Hindu religious epics. They speak Nepali, the national language of Nepal and use a script with basis in Sanskrit.
KUMARI FESTIVAL
"Kumari" means pre-pubescent girl regarded as ‘virgin goddess’ and a source of supreme power by both Hindu and Buddhist. The Goddess Kumari is believed to hold the cosmic power to protect and defend all living beings. In Nepalese community especially, in Hindu, the unmarried girls used to write "Kumari" as a middle name and married women write "Devi" as a middle name; literally the world "Kumari" means a virgin girl in Nepali language Nepal is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural country. Majority of the people are either Hindu and/or Buddhist.
In each town of Kathmandu valley i.e. Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur there are one Kumari, but the Kumari of Kathmandu is regarded as royal Kumari. The Kumari is selected from the "Shakya" family in Kathmandu. Newars are a sect of people originally belonging to the Katmandu Valley and Shakya is one of the lower and poor clan of Newar caste systemKumari is selected from a large number of contestants from the Shakya clan between the age of four or five. The girl must possess 32 attributes of perfection of the goddess such as free from any disfigurement, virgin with an unblemished body.
The selection of the Kumari ceremony is usually held on the eighth day of Dashain festival and is called Kal-ratri (Dark night). Dashain is one of the biggest Hindu festivals in Nepal that falls in mid October. During the day, many buffaloes are sacrificed and their bloody heads are placed in candlelight in the courtyard of the Taleju temple. At midnight the priests carry the Kumari clockwise around the monstrous heads finally the girl is given the items of clothing and decoration worn by her predecessor. This is how an ordinary four-year girl becomes a Living Goddess, the Kumari.
In each town of Kathmandu valley i.e. Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur there are one Kumari, but the Kumari of Kathmandu is regarded as royal Kumari. The Kumari is selected from the "Shakya" family in Kathmandu. Newars are a sect of people originally belonging to the Katmandu Valley and Shakya is one of the lower and poor clan of Newar caste systemKumari is selected from a large number of contestants from the Shakya clan between the age of four or five. The girl must possess 32 attributes of perfection of the goddess such as free from any disfigurement, virgin with an unblemished body.
The selection of the Kumari ceremony is usually held on the eighth day of Dashain festival and is called Kal-ratri (Dark night). Dashain is one of the biggest Hindu festivals in Nepal that falls in mid October. During the day, many buffaloes are sacrificed and their bloody heads are placed in candlelight in the courtyard of the Taleju temple. At midnight the priests carry the Kumari clockwise around the monstrous heads finally the girl is given the items of clothing and decoration worn by her predecessor. This is how an ordinary four-year girl becomes a Living Goddess, the Kumari.
GADHIMAI FESTIVAL
A Hindu festival in which hundreds of thousands of animals are expected to be sacrificed will go ahead as scheduled in southern Nepal despite protests, organizers said Friday. "We will not stop this centuries-old tradition now. This is our religion, belief and tradition and we will continue with it no matter what," said Motilal Kushwa of the organizing committee.
The Gadhimai festival, celebrated every five years, is attended by many Hindus from India as well as Nepal. More than 200,000 buffaloes, pigs, goats, chickens and pigeons are expected to be slaughtered this year on Nov. 24 and 25. Organizers said they will not bow to "interference" from animal rights and religious groups that have held protests in Katmandu and in the festival area in Bara district, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the capital.
Participants believe that animal sacrifices for the Hindu goddess Gadhimai will end evil and bring prosperity. Many join the festival from the state of Bihar in India, where animal sacrifices have been banned in some areas. Critics say the killings are barbaric and conducted in a cruel manner
Government administrator Taranath Gauram said hundreds of extra policemen have been sent to the area to maintain security and officials do not expect trouble during the festival. Ram Bahadur Bamjan, a Nepalese teenager revered by many as a reincarnation of Buddha, has joined the campaign against the animal slaughter and plans to visit the festival area to appeal directly to participants to stop the sacrifices.
The Gadhimai festival, celebrated every five years, is attended by many Hindus from India as well as Nepal. More than 200,000 buffaloes, pigs, goats, chickens and pigeons are expected to be slaughtered this year on Nov. 24 and 25. Organizers said they will not bow to "interference" from animal rights and religious groups that have held protests in Katmandu and in the festival area in Bara district, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the capital.
Participants believe that animal sacrifices for the Hindu goddess Gadhimai will end evil and bring prosperity. Many join the festival from the state of Bihar in India, where animal sacrifices have been banned in some areas. Critics say the killings are barbaric and conducted in a cruel manner
Government administrator Taranath Gauram said hundreds of extra policemen have been sent to the area to maintain security and officials do not expect trouble during the festival. Ram Bahadur Bamjan, a Nepalese teenager revered by many as a reincarnation of Buddha, has joined the campaign against the animal slaughter and plans to visit the festival area to appeal directly to participants to stop the sacrifices.
CULTURE OF TERAI REGION OF NEPAL
Brahman and raj puts: These people are similar to Brahmin and Chhetris of the middle hills. Their major difference being a high degree of influence from the neighboring North Indian people.
Satars: Tharus and their social life is organized and disciplined. They believe in Hinduism. Dimals, Bodos, Dhangars are agriculturist Hindu. Bodos are settled in an area known as the Mechi Zone and are more known as Mechain people. Dhimals are the Terain counterparts of the Limbus from the eastern Terai, mainly in Jhapa.
Rajbansis: This is a dominant ethnic group of far eastern Terai areas of Jhapa and Morang. Although they follow both Hindu and Muslims religions, they have their own local practices. Farming is their major occupation.
Tharus: They are dark in complexion and have smart, trim bodies. They follow the Hindu religion and their practices are dependent on many typical Aryan practices. Farming and business are their main occupations. Danwars, Majhis and Darais are very similar to Tharus, physically and culturally. Nevertheless, they speak their own languages which are of Sanskrit origin.
Musalmans: There are Muslims migrated from Northern India. They speak Urdu and their social practices correspond with the Muslim religion.Although these above accounts depict a fundamental description of Nepalese ethnic groups, it is difficult to pin point who is "ethnic" and who is "non-ethnic".
Satars: Tharus and their social life is organized and disciplined. They believe in Hinduism. Dimals, Bodos, Dhangars are agriculturist Hindu. Bodos are settled in an area known as the Mechi Zone and are more known as Mechain people. Dhimals are the Terain counterparts of the Limbus from the eastern Terai, mainly in Jhapa.
Rajbansis: This is a dominant ethnic group of far eastern Terai areas of Jhapa and Morang. Although they follow both Hindu and Muslims religions, they have their own local practices. Farming is their major occupation.
Tharus: They are dark in complexion and have smart, trim bodies. They follow the Hindu religion and their practices are dependent on many typical Aryan practices. Farming and business are their main occupations. Danwars, Majhis and Darais are very similar to Tharus, physically and culturally. Nevertheless, they speak their own languages which are of Sanskrit origin.
Musalmans: There are Muslims migrated from Northern India. They speak Urdu and their social practices correspond with the Muslim religion.Although these above accounts depict a fundamental description of Nepalese ethnic groups, it is difficult to pin point who is "ethnic" and who is "non-ethnic".
Thursday, August 12, 2010
HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLOR IN NEPAL
Originally Buddhist, the inhabitants of Kathmandu gradually adopted the Hindu religion which is, today, followed by a majority of Nepalese in the capital. Many religious festivals punctuate the daily life of the city. The Holi festival, which announces the arrival of spring, is certainly the most popular. On this occasion, hundreds of young people invade the streets to throw water and a colored powder called "glutal" at each other. As for the women, they adorn their most beautiful sari to follow the religious procession and to attend the bonfires which announce the end of the Holi festivities.
It is a festival of color. In the season spring we get color so this festival reminds it the season as arrived. We get colorful flowers and plants in spring and that is shown by this color festival. People get entertained by playing color, throwing each other and throwing water balloons. People celebrate this as a means of harmony. Sometimes it gets wild these days, while throwing in force to unwanted. People play with water in friend circle and in neighbour hood. We can buy many powdered color in red/white/pink/green/yellow. Some make black with mobile which is hard to remove later. Young girls are the target to throw such water balloons and color. The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colors is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However, it's only the last day that is observed by all with colors.
It is a festival of color. In the season spring we get color so this festival reminds it the season as arrived. We get colorful flowers and plants in spring and that is shown by this color festival. People get entertained by playing color, throwing each other and throwing water balloons. People celebrate this as a means of harmony. Sometimes it gets wild these days, while throwing in force to unwanted. People play with water in friend circle and in neighbour hood. We can buy many powdered color in red/white/pink/green/yellow. Some make black with mobile which is hard to remove later. Young girls are the target to throw such water balloons and color. The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colors is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However, it's only the last day that is observed by all with colors.
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