Pahan Chahre

I haven’t written anything about culture for some time now. I have been discouraged and out focused by Google by the decreasing popularity and ranking in their system. Financially every blogger need some help to sustain their lifestyle. I am a professional blogger and I depend on my blogs to pay my bills but rules of Google really hurts my rankings and as of result I am broke. But again I have some values and some respect towards my readers so I am once more making an effort to get my readers what they want. More information regarding Nepal and more information about traveling and tours around the world. But please bear with me if you see any posts non-related to travel and tours as they are my business posts and I need them to survive and continue writing my blogs.

Pahan Chahre

Today is April 04, 2008, and according to our Newari calendar, today is Pahan Chahre. Yet another festival which has values and traditions. Pahan Chahre often is considered and named as Pasa Chahre and the festival can be observed happening around Kathmandu only. Pahan means guest in Newari language and Pasa means a friend and Chahre is festival. So if you combine together the meaning would be festival for friends or guests.

The festival is mainly organized in every homes and friends and families are invited to each other’s house to celebrate the feast. As on every occasion, a God is worshipped and this time it is Mahadev in the form of Pisach also called lukumahadyo. Throughout the year this God, Mahadev, remains under the ground and is often sealed and only this day will it be opened and worshipped. This festival is often known as Pisach Chaturdasi. Different types of bands can be heard throughout the valley and different Gods will be worshiped throughout this week. I will have the detailed review of the day later. It is just 5:48 AM and I am just too excited to see what happens next…

Dyochhen

In the ancient times, the activities of gods and goddesses were interlinked with human being, and somehow resembled too. Like normal people, they attended jatras, attended cultural functions, accepted offerings, and lived in a house. For every individual activity, human society created separate spaces for god whom they respected the most. House created for god and goddesses were named as dyochhen where dyo means god and chhen means house. Dyochhen existed in the society from earlier period in Kathmandu Valley, and it is thought that the "devakula" represented "dyochhen" and "digvara" represented "pigan"-"peeth".

In Malla period, "Gvara" represented "peeth". This word dyochhen exists till now though there is no longer the practice of constructing them in Nepal. This might be the reason why books that categories Nepalese temples often forget to include "dyochhen." I think the government should look upon these ancient monuments and try to preserve them as it is one of our national treasures.

Dhunge Dhara

Dhunge dhara is among the magnificent pieces of art that embellish our cultural heritage. Over the centuries, Kathmandu Valley has continually witnessed the constant evolution of numerous religious and monumental buildings that punctuate the public space, providing diverse from and scale, pervading every aspect of life. Dhunge dharas are also no exception.

Its occurrence in Nepal cannot be dated precisely. Many dharas are found to be of Lichhavi period, which reveals that this has been our culture since centuries. Though, over the period of time its basic form has remained relatively unchanged, different terms have been used to represent it. In early Lichhaivi period, it was called “kriti” and it was called “pranali” in the late Lichhavi period. From Malla period onward, it was called “hiti”. Dhunge dhara are the means of water supply in the ancient time. A typical dhunge dhara is called hitigah in Newari language.

Gokarna And Sundarijal

A pleasant couple of hours walk in the vicinity of the Boudanath stupa will take us to the old Newar village of Gokarna, north of the Royal Game Reserve From Bouthnath take the road towards the reserve and turn left on to a dirt road after twenty minutes. Another twenty minutes’ walk will bring you to the beautiful three-storied temple of Shiva called Gokarneswor, Lord of Gokarna. The courtyard has an incredible collection of stone statues of deities from Hindu mythology such as Narad, Surya the Sun God, Chandra the Moon God, Kamadeva the God of Love besides the more conventional images of Shiva and Vishnu. Although they are probably only about a century old I have never seen such a collection in one place in Nepal.

After visiting the temple you can walk up to the village which is inhabited entirely by Newars and is surrounded by the game reserve on the three sides. Although the village is so close to Kathmandu the villagers are very poor and many do not even speak Nepali. There are deer, monkeys, and peacocks in the game reserve. It is a popular picnic spot for the people of Kathmandu and there is some entrance fee to enter the premises as well.

Further down the road are the waterfalls of Sundarijal at the edge of the valley; a pleasant bicycle ride down quiet roads.

Languages In Nepal

Over the past few decades, the literacy of Nepali people have reached to quite good level. Though the village areas are yet to have literacy awareness programs and most of them are still below the literacy level, the urban areas have over 90% of the people literate. Since the schools have English as a compulsory subject, most of the Nepalese people do tend to speak the universal language in Nepal.

The national language of Nepal is Nepali language, often called Nepalese language. The grammar of the Nepali language is quite similar to the Sanskrit language. The Nepali language is not so hard to learn but it is too difficult to master as well. I guess this happens to most of the languages in the world. Nepal has lots of ethnic groups and most of the Nepalese ethnic groups speak their own language. The Kathmandu Valley has been ruled by Newars and the basic natives are Newari people who speak Nepal Bhasa language often called Newari language. The other distinct languages are spoken by the Gurungs, Magars, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, and Sherpas. In the Teria, Hindi and Maithili are widely spoken and understood.

If you are a tourist, and although learning a few words of Nepal is a good idea and widely appreciated, there is one word every visitor should learn – “Namaste.” This universal Nepalese greeting translates literally as “I salute all divine qualities in you: but it is used as “hello, how are you, pleased to meet you, see you again” and generally a nice thing to say.

Indrajatra 2007 Begins

There are lots of festivals happening around the year for the Hindu people in Nepal. It seems like everyday there is a festival in the name of some gods. I don’t know may be that I am from Newar group I feel as we have most of the feasts going on than any other tribes. But today, 24th of September, 2007, has a special importance if you are in Kathmandu. From a week before you will start Newari people going on for their music band practice. Lots of masked features, namely Lakhes, are out to brighten up the festival which is going to start today. It is called Indrajatra, where Indra means Lord of Heaven and jatra means festival, who is worshipped as God of Rain.

The fields have been planted with crops, the monsoon is in the ending process, and the season for harvesting is coming up. This is the beginning of the best season of the year, which lasts for two months. So this is the time when people worship the god of rain, Indra.

Today is considered as the first day of Indrajatra. The big wooden log which was brought from Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, is installed in front of the Kaal Bhairab at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today. This symbolize that the festival, Indrajatra, is in the air. This wooden log is called Yashi in Newari language. The beginning and the end of the Indrajatra is symbolized by this wooden log. The installment symbolizes the beginning and after the festival it is put down and dragged into the Bagmati river, which symbolizes the end of the festival. The place at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square today is crowded with people who watch the installment of the log on that place. The log stands upright till the festival is in the air.

Chatha (Ganesh Chaturthi)

Another festival celebrated right before Rishipanchami is Ganesh Charturthi (chaturthi means the fourth day of the bright lunar fortnight). This year it was celebrated on 15th of September, 2007. The Hindu people worship Lord Ganesh this day. The newar of Kathmandu valley called it Chatha (meaning same as chaturthi in nepali – fourth day of the bright lunar fortnight). It is celebrated hugely in our neighbor country India as well. Devotees pay homage to Lord Ganesh at various temples of Ganesh.

In Kathmandu, there is one special tradition that is carried out this day. The seed of the pear eaten couple of months ago is preserved for this day. The seed is called bakshyapati in Nepali. It is worshipped as Lord Ganesh, as it has appearance of Ganesh (Ganesh has head of an elephant). So after the worshipping. The seed is crushed and inside another edible seed is taken out and it is eaten after it is fried as the form of prashad (offerings eaten by the devotees in the name of god in form of blessings) from Lord Ganesh.

Optional Extension Tour Of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)

I thought of excluding these tours but lots of my friends told me to include these parts of Bhaktapur as well as these places to have importance and I am sure anyone who are in Bhaktapur would never want to miss these places. So here is the review with the time span that is needed for visiting those places.

Extension Tour A:
Starting point: Durbar Square (30 minutes)
Take a small lane off Durbar Square to your right passing by typical to-day activities, continue until this lane bisects the main road. As you swing towards the left, you will pass the potters’ area where much of the activity – molding, baking, etc., - takes place in the street. Finally, passing by Talaku Math you will reach Taumadhi Square.

Extension Tour B:
Starting point: Dattatriya Square (45 minutes)
Continue through Dattatriya Square taking Bagiswori Lane. Pass Brahmayani Dyoche, Wakupati Narayan Temple, then the Navdurga Temple – traditional home of the Durga dancers, to Kwathaundau Pokhari, Kwathaundau Math, and as you approach the other entrance to Dattatriya Square, the Salan Ganesh Temple.

Extension Tour C:
Starting point Dattatriya Square (20 minutes)
Near the entrance to Dattatriya Square, as you enter, there is a lane off to your left. Following it, you will pass the Yachhe Ganesh Temple, Salan Ganesh Pokhari with Yache Ganesh Dyoche then Naag Pokhari, which will bring you to the main street near the Sukuldhoka Math.

A Perfect Tour of Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)

I just found a page in my old magazine where they have maintained a plan of tour around Bhaktapur, formerly known as Bhadgaon, in a single page. I was thinking of writing a whole post about Bhaktapur, but was unsure if one post was enough for the whole tour. So this magazine will definitely help me to share the knowledge and guide my readers to Bhaktapur in just a single post to read.

Total time: 1.5 hours.
Starting point: Durbar Square

The “Golden Gate,” one of the Valley’s most extraordinary architectural masterpieces, built in 1754.

National Art Gallery houses Nepal’s finest collection of paintings also attached to it, exhibition of wood and stone carvings.

Palace of the 55 Windows, the former royal home of the Malla Kings has uniquely carved and decorated windows.

Temples:
Pashupati
Batsala
Radha
Krishna
Buddhist Vihar


Second stop: Taumadhi Square

Nyataola Temple built by King Bhuptindra in 1708 and dedicated to the tantric deity, Shiddhi Laxmi.

Bhairab Temple, three stories set on a rectangular base.

Narayan Temple with its beautiful carvings.

Aisamari Satal, this reconstructed building will house a modern restaurant catering to tourists.


Third stop: Sukaldhoka Square
This is one of the main local shopping areas where you can observe the daily life of the people.

Sukul dhoka Math in terms of wood carving and courtyard decoration is one of the most important Maths in Bhadgaon.


Fourth stop: Golmadhi Square

Golmadhi Hiti, a traditional stone tap.

Golmadhi Square has many examples of Newari architecture. Here too, you’ll find the hand-weaving center of Bhadgaon.


Fifth and Last stop: Dattatriya Square

Temples:
Dattatriya, a three-storied Rama-Shiva-Vishnu trinity temple built originally during the reign of Yaksha Malla in 1427.
Bhimsen Temple
Laxmi Narayan Temple
Pujahari Math with its beautifully carved peacock windows, now the office of the Baktapur Development Project.
Chikampa Math

Jangham Patti.

Taja Math, planned handicraft center.

Chikampha Math, 2nd floor exhibition hall.

Pujahari Math, 2nd floor will house a woodcarving museum.

End of Gunla 2007

The day after Gokarna Aunsi (father’s day) is marked as the end of the Gunla for the year. This year it was on 12th of September. I was so busy with my own world and work that this year, I couldn’t be in Swayambhu for the first time in my life. Throughout my years, I have loved going to Swayambhu, and Gunla is the main festival where lots of people go to Swayambhu throughout the month. It is such a shame that I couldn’t manage a single day to visit Swayambhu this year. I had made plans for more than three to four times but due to my tight schedule; I just couldn’t go there this year. I had never thought that I would miss going there this year.

On the last day, a huge crowd will be gathered in Swayambhu throughout the day. Lots of people visit and pay their respect to goddess Harati Ma on this day and the days throughout the months. Throughout the month, lots of people will go there with their own musical bands with full devotion to the deity. Since this is the last day, most of the people will visit the place and you see the Swayambhu hill covered with people from a long distance today. You will see devotees coming and going from the hills throughout the way of Swayambhu. The crowd is just overwhelming and something different to experience. Too bad, I miss it this year. Well I cannot do anything then regret it and hope and pray that I wont miss it next year.

Gokarna Aunsi 2007 – Father’s Day In Nepal

Gokarna Aunsi is the father’s day celebrated in Nepal. Gokarna is a place nearby the Valley and Aunsi means dark moon. This year it was celebrated on 11th of September. We have a special way of celebrating this day. Sons and daughters offer ritual food, sweetmeats, and other gifts to their fathers. The streets are a happy scene of married daughters with loads of goodies making their way to their parent’s houses. Another scenario is the shops selling lots of sweet products. The shopkeeper extends their shops and display varieties of sweet products that sons and daughters offer to their father today.

The father’s day is performed by offering the gifts, and then sons and daughters adore their fathers by bowing to touch their feet with their foreheads. The ceremony is also known as “looking uopon father’s face” in our own language. Those whose fathers are no more mark the day by visiting Gokarna and other sacred spots and worshipping to the deities. There they perform anniversary rituals (sharadhya) in honor of their departed fathers and offer alms of rice, pulses, and coints to the priests and beggars as well.

Krishnastami 2007

In Hinduism, there are lots of them. Hard to believe but truth is that it is considered that there are 33 koti devata (330.000,000 Gods). According to the religion, every god has their own importance and have contributed something to the human being in someway. Most of the gods have their special day when they are specially worshipped. Lord Krishna, the dark god who taught warrior Ajuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August (28th August this year). So that day is Lord Krishna’s day hence also called Janmastami (where Janma means birth and Astami means 8th day of the month).

The Krishna’s birthday is celebrated with lots of love and devotion by the devotees. Flocks of devotes gather around the Krishna Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on the preceding day. Krishna Mandir of Patan is a monument and was build on 17th century. So the men and women from gather around and sit in the vigil waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity. The Krishna Mandir will be full of devotees throughout the day where we can find lots of flocks coming and going on paying their respects and homage to the deity. Throughout the Kathmandu Valley, images of Lord Krishna are shown. Some of the images are carried around the city in the procession accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical bands.

Mata-ya 2007 (Festival Of Lights)

I haven't been following the regular blog posting for the days of the festivals these days as I have been mostly indoors these days. I have one of my best friends, Smreeti Nakarmi, who went to that festivals and I had asked her to write her own personal views of her journey to this procession. So here are the details that she send me of her procession of one of the most popular festival in Patan area called Mata-ya. It was on 31 August 2007 this year. Below are the details written by her own.

Mata-ya is derived from combination of two different words “Mata” which means light and “Yatra” means journey. According to the Nepali calendar, Mata-ya is celebrated on the month of Bhadra two days after Janai Purnima. Mata-ya is renown by Srinveri or Nekoo Jatra. Many people from different areas come to Patan to watch this festival whereas many worshipers come here to worship to different chaitya (Buddhist shrine) and chowk (Buddhist courtyard) as well.

I also went to Mata-ya this year. I really got the chance to visit Patan areas and four big chatyas of the Patan city. At about 4 a.m. me n my friends came out and went to a place called Nagbahal from where the queue begins with a big crowd to start the procession. I met lots of friends over there who were going for this long journey. I was so much excited that day. I walked 16 hours on that day. Mata-ya procession is carried out for the peace for our ancestors. Mata-ya is celebrated once a year so it is our popular festival of Patan city. There is a very interesting story about the origin of this festival. It goes like, once Shakyamuni Gautama was in deep penance to attain nirvana. The Maras, jealous of unique penance, appeared disgusting themselves in different forms to Buddha. Some of them were in fierce-looking demon and some in Apsara (angel) forms and so on. They made him every possible attempt to reduce him but all in vain. Eventually Shakyamuni Gautama overcame the Maras and Buddha became the enlighten one. Then every soon Maras come to confess their sins to Lord Buddha and worship him with great honor. In other to make this great day, as many believe this festival come in to existence. Everyone (devotees) offer kapur, butter, lamps, money, rice, grains, incense, foods, as they wish. Me and my friends offer kapur for every chaitya. Small children come their with a nanglo (a big round-shaped instrument, mostly used to filter stones from the raw rice) and we give them what we have to offer. Visiting four main chaitya and reaching to same destiny where we started will end Mata-ya of the year.

Gai Jatra 2007

It was Gai Jatra, one of the other interesting festival, on August 29 2007. This festival is celebrated in the memories of the lost family member during the last year. The word Gai Jatra came from two words Gai (which means Cow) and Jatra (festival). It is also called Saparu in Newari language. The whole city streets are crowded with the parade of the families who have lost a member during the past year parade in a decorated cow around the city. Most of the people send a cow from their house and those who can't find a cow will send their kids dressed up as cows or ascetics and walk in procession along the festival route. Cow has a special place in the Hinduism. It is respected as a god and mostly a given the respect as to a mother. So this day, it is believed that the sacred animal helps departed souls to cross the cosmic ocean in their journey into the after-world.





Humor is another side of the festival. Comic dramas and street shows making fun of government officials are performed. People also roam the city dressed up like lunatics. Newspapers bring out special "mad" editions. From ancient ages people are allowed to demonstrate any critics this day, even when autocracy ruled Nepal.

In Kathmandu, the bereaved families proceed alone the festival route individually whereas in Patan, the participants gather at Durbar Square and then move out together. In Kirtipur, the Jatra starts from the night. Almost every won't sleep at night and on the Gai Jatra night a buffalo is sacrificed outside the Bagh Bhairav Temple. So I felt the Jatra as if it was a night-time Jatra.


The celebration in Bhaktapur is the most interesting one and I personally prefer going there if you want to see the true demonstration of Gai Jatra where there are tall bamboo poles, wrapped in cloth, and toped with horns fashioned of straw are carried around the city in memory of the dead. It seems like the whole city is taking part and all the city streets will be filled with the parade. It might be due to the narrowed streets there but all the city streets are found full on that day.

Janai Purnima (Kwati Punhi) 2007

The season of festival begins and today, August 28 2007, is Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the day when most of the Hindus change the janai. Janai is the sacred thread the men wear on their chests. Today is the full moon day and flocks of Brahmins (Hindu priests) can be seen at the holy river banks taking ritual dips in the river and offering ablution to the gods. As a ritual, they then change their holy threads and also tie yellow sacred threads around the wrists of the faithful.

name for this festival iThis day is also important for the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. Then Newari is Gunhi Punhi. Most of the Newari festivals have special foods to offer. Looking back at the festivals they celebrate, it is not so hard to find out that they celebrate every festival according the foods they produce. All the friends and families gathered around together and offer servings of the foods provided in different season in and they have different festivals for different foods they have. Likewise, the special menu for Gunhi Punhi is Kwati. Hence the day is also called Kwati Punhi, where Kwati is a soup of different beans and Punhi means the full moon day. Lots of Newars do put the yellow sacred threads around the wrists which are to be taken off on the day of Laxmi Puja, another festival in Tihar, about two months after this festival.

In Patan, a richly decorated lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, is placed in the middle of the Kumbheswar (Kwonti) pond. This place is located at one of the most popular places in Patan, called Bangalamukhi. It is believed that the pond is to be filled with the water from the holy lake Gosainkunda Lake. There is a well-like place situated there where the people believe that the water comes from the Goshainkunda Lake itself. This day, they have all the water collected in a pond situated nearby the well-like place. In Bhaktapur, a colorful procession known as Jujuya Ghintang-ghishi, a type of king's carnival goes around town in the evening.

Naag Panchami 2007

I again missed the festival of Naag Panchami this year. I even missed to post it in the exact date in this blog of mine. It was on 18th of August this year. This festival also has a great value in Hindu culture and as with most of the festivals it also has a story behind it.

In Hinduism, the Naag (divine serpent) is glorified as the giver of rain. On the day of Naag Panchami, devotees paste pictures of the Naag over their doorways and pay homage. Devotees also throng Taudaha (meaning big pond) which is 6 kilometers to the south of Kathmandu. There they worship Karkotak Naag, the serpent-king. Karkotak moved to this dwelling after Lord Manjushree drained the Kathmandu Valley, which used to be a lake in ages past, by slicing a passage through the hills to make it inhabitable. Nagdaha lake is another distination for pilgrims where they offer worship to the serpent-gods.

So mostly this day you will find most of the houses with posters of Naag over their doorways and the market will be full of sellers of posters of Naag. Temples of Shiva (his ornaments is made of live snakes) can too be seen crowded with devotees. Other views would be people feeding milk to Naag brought by mostly Indian snake handler in their bags.

Gunla 2007

I have been quite busy these days and I don't have much time to go out and participate in this year's festivals. I really miss it but I just cannot help it. All of my friends and family have also been busy so I had been skipping lots of festivals this year. In these two weeks, I missed two of the important festivals, Gunla and Nagpanchami. Well I just have gathered some information about Gunla, and with my experiences throughout the years I lived and enjoyed I am going to write and share it to this blog of mine. I hope you guys will enjoy reading about the festivals of Nepal.

Gunla is the name of the 10th month in the Nepal Era calendar (Newari Calendar). According to Gregorian calendar, Gunla lies on the 14th of August this year (2007). It is a sacred month dedicated to Lord Buddha. The festival commemorates the auspicious "rains retreat" when the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago, led his close disciples into solitary meditation and preached to them the essence of his principles.

Buddhists spend month in prayer and fasting. They visit Swayambhu and other shrines early in the morning accompanied by musical bands. On August 25, groups of devotees make the rounds of monastery courtyards to view Buddha images displayed for the occasion. The Gunla lakhe (masked dancer) enlivens the festival with this street performances.

I have gone to Swayambhu lots of times in that festival in the past. Not only Buddhist but lots of Hindus go to Swayambhu as most of the Hindus of Nepal do pay respect to Buddha as Buddha was once a prince of Newari family. So you will find lots of Newars worshiping and praying to Buddha. This is the time of the year, where you can find Swayambhu crowded with lots of people and devotees of all ages. Mostly you will find lots of young guys and girls, mostly teenagers, wandering around the road going or returning from Swayambhunath temple. On the way back from Swayambhunath, lots of guys and girls stop by one small cheap restaurant where they serve one of the most popular Newari foods for breakfast called Gwaramari (Fulaura in Nepali). I just had to write about Gwaramari as it is one of my favorite food after momo. Well I am sure I will go at least once this month to Swayambhunath temple anyhow. I just love that place.

Gathan-Muga 2007

Amongst a hundreds of festivals in the valley, Gathan-muga festival too carries lots of details and its own importance. The Gathan-muga festival (known variously as Gathemuangal and Ghantakarna) actually represents a ritual detoxification of the city, when evil spirits are banished outside the urban limits. Lots of the street intersections on the day of the festival can be found with effigies erected of the Gathan-muga (as a symbol of demon). In the evening time, a man wearing war-paint type of color all over his body goes out begging for money in his area of the city throughout the different shops and houses. Lots of other children will follow him with some kind of rhyming song used to beg money in the name of god. At the end of the day, the effigy is taken down. The painted man is made to sit on the effigy and the neighborhood kids drag it away to the river near them, mostly Bishnumati River being closet to the valley. In Bhaktapur, the effigy is burnt in the middle of the street.

Being the native of the valley, mostly Newars celebrate this festival. Householders place pots of cooked rice at the crossroads as food for the demons. Another happening ritual is before locking up the house for the night, nails are hammered into the door lintel because it is believed that the spooks and the demons are supposed to be terrified of iron. People also put iron mixed rings into their fingers to keep the spooks and demons away this day.

This festival can be considered as the beginning of all the other ones, as after this festival lots of others will follow. Newars will have lots of festival going on after Gathan-muga festival. Within a week there will be at least 1-2 feasts going on after this festival and each having their own meaning and a different god to be remembered and worshipped. This year Gathan-muga was on the 11th of August.

Newari Instrument: Dhimay

Dhimay is one of the most precious Newari cultural musical instrument. It is played in special ceremonies and festivals, like Indrajatra, Dashain, Tihar, Holi, etc. It is an ancient musical instrument which was played by famous Hindu gods like Mahadev, Bhairav, Harati Mata, Naasha Dyo, etc. It is said that gods play Dhimay whenever they are happy. It was especially played by Mahadev. Dhimay are made of steel and animal skin. Dhimay are often made of wood and animal skin. There is a belt attached to Dhimay that is kept around the right arm of the player. Only Newari people are trained to paly Dhimay, especially Jyapu (farmer where “Jya” means work and “apu” means easy) group are trained to play Dhimay. Mainly Dhimay is practiced in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. These days, Dhimay is especially trained to the children who are of 11 to 12 years of age to the different parts of the city. Not only boys but girls are also encouraged to play it in this modern world. In the old ages, girls weren’t allowed to play it.

There are basically two types of Dhimay:

1. Thulo or Big Dhimay
2. Sano or Small Dhimay

Thulo Dhimay is big and heavy, which is played very slowly. It is played in special festivals and ceremonies whereas Sano Dhimay is small and may be light or heavy. The Sano Dhimay is usually played in very fast beat. It is played in special Jatras (festivals) like Indrajatra, Ghodejatra, Bisketjatra, etc.

Since it is the instrument of the Newars it is trained in Nepal Bhasa language only and the beats and sounds are pronounced as Nepal Bhasa too. Dhimay training is usually of one year’s duration. The instrument Dhimay really has been one of the precious trademark of the Newars.