The blog article is posted in
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu-Valley/blog-734993.html originally.
Festivities, celebrations and Nepal can be used synonymous. The
popular saying; “There are as many houses as many temples, as many gods and
goddesses as many people and as many festivals as many days of the year in
Kathmandu” truly depicts the country’s festivities and religious faith of
ancient Kathmandu valley (which is known as Nepal in earlier centuries). Today,
the numbers of temples and number of Gods and Goddesses might not be equal and
comparable because of the increasing numbers of houses and peoples in the
valley due to the migration from all over the country. But the number of
festivals remains unchanged and even increased with influx of other communities
and cultures into the capital city.
There are
different festivals being celebrated in Nepal almost every day in the month of
July and August. Ghantakarna ( festival to mark demolishing of the mythical
demon called Ghanta Karna ), Nagpanchami dedicated to serpent god (god of rain
and protection), Rakshya Bandhana & Janai Poornima ( a sacred thread
wearing festival ), Gaai Jaatra ( Death rituals of Newar community),
Krishnaastami ( Lord Krishna’s Birthday) are some of them. Month of Shrawan
(July 15 to
August 15 or
the 4th month of
Nepali calendar) is dedicated to Shiva and worshipping of Shiva takes place for
the whole month. Each Monday of this Shrawan month is special for all Hindu
women, where they fast for the day, worship lord Shiva wishing the wellbeing of
their husband if they are married and wish the best possible husband if they are
unmarried.
In this article, two major
festivals of the month Janai Poornima or Raksha Bandhan and Gai Jaatra are
discussed.
Raksha Bandhan means a bond of protection, and Janai Poornima referred
to change Janai (sacred thread by Brahman and Chetri Hindu men). Hindu Brahman
and Chetri men wear sacred ornamental thread with three knots around their
shoulder, representing major three Hindu Gods – Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (
the operator ) and Shiva ( the destructor).The 'triple knot' is a symbol of body,
speech and mind as well, and believed that the one who wears this thread have a
good control of these three qualities. So, they change this thread in this day
for another one year. All other communities tie the sacred thread in the wrist
by Brahman with the hope of bonding devils and bringing good luck and
protection.
Gosainkunda Lake situated north of Kathmandu at an altitude of some
4,380m. from the sea level and Kumbheshwor Mahadev temple in Patan are the most
sacred and important religious sites to visit on the day. Thousands of pilgrims
pay homage to take bath in the freezing cold alpine lake. The lake and its
premises istaken as abode of Shiva and Parvati which is mentioned in various
Hindu epic books and stories. Those who cannot make their pilgrimage tour to
this alpine lake, visit the Kumbheshwor temple premise in Patan. There is the
water spring in the temple premise which is believed the water coming from
Gosainkunda Lake and as sacred water as in the lake to take bath.
In Terai the same day is celebrated as Rakhi, where sister and brother
tie a special thread called Rakhi in the wrist as a symbol of love relation
between a brother and a sister and present gift each other.
The next day of Janai Poornima is Gaai Jaatra (literally means a Cow
festival). The festival is celebrated by Newar community as important death
rituals all over the country. During the festival cow procession (either
real cow or decorative cow like symbol) takes place in the alleys of the
town representing death soul. It is believed that cow assist death soul to rest
in peace and paradise.
The festival is believed to be started from the reign of Pratap Malla in
Kathmandu valley some four hundred years ago as it is celebrated today. Once
King Pratap Malla lost his son, his grief stricken wife could not be satisfied
in any way and the King as well could not lessen the sorrow and grief of his
wife. So, the King requested the residence of his kingdom to carry out a cow
procession from each house that had lost their family members during the year.
It makes the queen to feel that there are many other families living in the
kingdom with sorrow and grief as her. The king Pratap Malla, also announced a
tradition of including jokes, satires, mockery in the Gai Jatra days to make
the people smile.
Since Nepal follows the lunar calendar the dates of the festival can be
different for the next year. Nepal, in the month of July and August would be
the most beautiful season to travel for the Culture and scenery. The
monsoon brings rain and cloudy days but it is green everywhere, waterfall, and
clouds as a beautiful painting on the green hills makes the country stunning.
You can take the most beautiful photos, memories of culture, life, mountains
and many more in this month.
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