Books and Culture

• Kuber Chalise

Kathmanduites honour death, an inevitable truth, by celebrating Gai Jatra on Bhadra Sukla Pratipada, the first day of Bhadra, according to the Lunar Calendar. Hindu scriptures explain human body as a whole universe. Life is a creation and death is destruction. Thus, on Gai Jatra day life honours inseparable duo, death.

It is said that the door of Chitragupta, a Puranic judge who takes notes of one’s nobility and sins, opens only once a year, on this day. And all the departed souls on this day leave for the eternity through his door. While leaving this planet the deads want them to be remembered by their kins. To fulfill their wishes, Valleyites whose relatives have died within a year come out on the street in a procession with real cows or children clad-like cow, representing the real one or clad like Jogi –holy men.

Only cow can help the dead ones to cross a mythical river Baitarini, while traveling to eternity. On can, according to the belief, cross Baitarini only clinging to the tail of a cow.  Thus the festival got the name Gai Jatra in the honour of sacred cows.

The procession followed by the drums and the festivities must go through Durbar Square in Kathmandu . History has it that King Partap Malla ordered all his countrymen to follow this path to console his queen, who due to the untimely death of her son was sad and was in no mood to accept the inevitable.

By showing her that not only she but a lot in this kingdom has lost their kins but they accept this as a rule; One who borns has to die. The Gai Jatra parade then dispelled her grief.   

Though this festival is celebrated only in Kathmandu valley, the three sister cities of the valley has their own way to celebrate this day. The medieval city of Bhaktapur has more fun fare and musical troupe to follow the procession. Ghintang Kisi is the typical Bhaktapure musical tradition to celebrate Gai Jatra. While Patan celebrates Gai Jatra by taking out the procession of cows and the little girls follow the procession.

In the night Ramayan dance, Bhairav dance and Devi dances are the major attraction of the locals.

Though the country has 12-years of democratic experience. One is free to express oneself according to the new constitution. But Gai Jatra, in modern days also has interpreted as a day to express the discontent of the people. Newspapers publish special editions, satirical articles and cartoons. The wrongdoings of the government are highlighted and made fun of on this day.

The valleyites, especially the Newar community celebrates this day as Saparu. Lalit Bistar, a Buddhist scripture adds some description about Saparu. According to this Buddhist scripture, Kama - lust, Krodh – anger, lova –greed and egos tried to disturb Lord Buddha by making noise and creating different kinds of images while he was in meditation but could not perturb him. To mark the day the day is celebrated by making noises, fun and drum beats.

Gai Jatra, a traditional carnival, has religious, historical, cultural and the social significance in our society.

• KUBER CHALISE

The Janai Purnima day falls on the full moon day of Shrawan, according to the lunar calendar. All the Brahmin- the priestly class and Kshatriya- the ruler class changes Janai - the sacred thread worn around their body for a year. Thus the day is known as Janai - Purnima.

Brahmins and the Kshatriyas prepare themselves a day before by cleansing their body, shaving, cutting nails and observing fasting before the Janai Purnima day.

Scriptures has it that no one can be Brahmin or Kshatriya by birth, one should prove by ones act. The true knowledge of self and the universe can determine the class and the caste of people.

The traditional caste system is based on the profession of a member of the society. But the society is changing and so are we. Thus, the festival of Janai - Purnima, though is related to those only who wear janai - the sacred thread - Brahmins and Kshatriyas, is celebrate by all.

The day is also known as Rishitarpani - a day to remember all the Vedic sages, their wisdom and to be thankful to them. 

The day is also marked as Rakshya Bandhan also. There is a tradition of wearing a yellow sacred thread- Rakshya-Bandhan by the Brahmin-priests. The family priests keep busy visiting houses to tie yellow sacred thread around the wrist to protect from any harm throughout the year.

According to the Puranas, Hindu scriptures when Indra, the king of Gods lost his empire to the demons. He then by the advice of Guru Brihaspati on this day of Shrawan Purnima tied Rahshya-bandhan on his wrist and fought the decisive war and regained his lost empire.

While tying the sacred thread, Rakshya-bandhan, the priests recite the mantra of a demon king called-Bali, who once ruled the whole universe defeating Gods. But Vishnu, incarnated as Vaman - a dwarf, asked him for three steps of land which Bali granted by ridiculing his size. But Lord Vaman scaled the whole universe in his three steps and sent Bali to Paataal - the lower universe, on this day, states Vishnu Puruna.

The pilgrims visit Gosai Kunda - a religious lake at the foot of Himalayas in Rasuwa district on this day to pay homage to Lord Shiva and to have a holy bath in the sacred lake.

Scriptures has it that once the Gods and the Demons jointly set themselves to Samundra Manthan - a churning up of a mythical ocean.

While churning the ocean up there came Kaal Kut Visha - a deadly poison. All the Deities and the demons being terrified by the Kaal Kut poison prayed to Lord Shiva. The Lord being the saviour of the world, swallow the deadly poison to save the world but it stuck in his throat and burnt badly which turned blue. Thenceforth, because of his blue throat, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkantha - one with a blue throat.

The burning of throat did not let him stay calm. So he went to the Himalayas in search of cool stream. He thrust his Trishul - trident deep into a snow- clad mountain causing three cool streams to run down. The cool breeze of the stream gave him a great relief and he slept there. This very holy water from the streams is believed to have formed Gosai Kunda. And devotees believe till date Lord Shiva is sleeping in the Kunda.

Festivities gather at a holy pond in Kumbheshwor, Patan - believed to have formed by the same water stream from Gosain-Kunda on this day.

Among the 12 full moons in a year, the ninth full moon in the month of Shrawan, has the mystic significance, according to the Kulavarna-tantra, a Hindu scripture.

Local Newars in Kathmandu celebrate this day as ‘Gunhu-punhi’ or ‘Bwacha-Nagegu Punhi’. They invite relatives and prepare delicacies specially Kwati and soup, on this day. Nine different sprouted cereals are mixed to prepare the Kwati. 

According to the Lalit Bistar, a Buddhist scripture, Swayambhunath appeared on lotus flower in the then Kathmandu Lake on this day. To mark the day, Buddhists visit swayambhunath.

We, the Nepalese are rich in our cultures and traditions and enjoy every festival with merry making mood. We have every reason to celebrate festival whether it has traditional, culture or social value.

The Janai Purnima, Raksha-bandhan, Gunhu-punhi, Byawa-Nakegu Gosai-kunda Mela or the Kumbheshowor Mela, whatever you name it, this day is of great importance to all who wants to be in the festive mood.