Mahabaudha Temple Of Patan

The temple of thousands Buddha is about ten-minute walk from south of durbar square. It is slightly out of the way and you can have to ask directions as it is located in a courtyard surrounded by buildings and not easily visible despite its height originally constructed in 14th century, the terracotta, the Indian style was severely damaged in 1934 earthquake and later rebuild. Each of the bricks in the building contains an image of Buddha. Inside there is a shrine dedicated to Maya Devi, the mother of Buddha. It is said that this temple is similar to one in Boudhagaya where Buddha was enlighten. You can climb the buildings around the courtyard to photograph the temple and obtain a fine view over the rooftops of Patan.

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.

Patan Durbar Square

Like Hunuman Dhoka Durbar Square of Kathmandu there is another Durbar Square in Patan or Lalitpur. Patan does lie in Kathmandu valley as well. The most beautiful place full of craftsmanship artifacts is the Patan is Patan Durbar Square. It is believed that it was ruled by Kirates, Lichchavis, and Mallas. It is another ancient Newari architecture of Nepal. There are many temples made by the Malla kings. It is also known as Lalitpur and Yela De in Nepal Bhasa language.

The Durbar area has magnificent crafts of wood, stone, and metals. The palace contains three beautiful chowks (open area created by the surrounding small old buildings) and beautiful garden. There typical Nepalese style of two- to three-storied buildings. Magnificent wood carvings of the gates and windows can be viewed with a beautiful pond built by Siddhinarshingh Malla which is believed that it has been used for the bathing of the royal family and royal priest.

Patan Durbar Square is full of the most artistic and architectural temples, images, and monuments. All these artifacts reveals the art of Malla period. It is indeed one of our country’s prosperity and prestige. The most famous Newar artists and master craftsmen like Arniko, Abhay Raj, and Siddhi Raj were all born in Lalitpur. The palace is surrounded by a number of shrines and dabalis.

Personally, it is one of the favorite place of mine too. Couple of months back, we used to play basketball every Saturday and then after our game we used to go there in our bikes and relax there and forget all our fatigue and exhaustion created by the game. We just gather our group in one of the temples where we sit together and watch the beautiful scenario and enjoy the view and then return back home with a sigh of relief and peace in our mind.

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.