Family members deceased in the past year are also remembered during the festival. The main venue of the festivities is Kathmandu Durbar Square. The celebrations last for eight days
Indra Jatra was started by king Gunakamadeva to commemorate the founding of the city of Kathmandu in the 10th century. Kumari Jatra began in the mid-18th century. The celebrations are held according to the lunar calendar, so the dates are changeable. They occur in September-October.
According to legend, Indra (Hindu god king of heaven), disguised as a farmer, descended to earth in search of parijat (Night jasmine), a white flower his mother Basundhara needed to perform a ritual. As he was plucking the flowers at Maruhiti, a sunken water spout at Maru, the people caught and bound him like a common thief. He was then put on display in the town square of Maru in Kathmandu. An image of Indra with his hands bound is put on display on a tall platform at Maru and other parts of the city during the festival.
His mother, worried about his extended absence, came looking for him. This part of the festival is known as the procession of Dagin
When the city folk realized they had captured Indra himself, they were appalled and immediately released him. Out of appreciation for his release, his mother promised to provide enough dew throughout the winter to ensure a rich crop. It is said that Kathmandu starts to experience foggy mornings from this festival onwards because of this boon.
The Major Attractions are:
1.Kumari Jatra:
Kumari Jatra, which means the chariot festival of Kumari, coincides with Indra Jatra. It was started in 1756 AD during the reign of Jaya Prakash Malla
During this festival, three chariots carrying human representations of the deities Ganesh, Bhairava and Kumari accompanied by musical bands are pulled along the festival route through Kathmandu on three days. The procession starts at around 3 pm.
On the first day of Kumari Jatra known as Kwaneyā the chariots are pulled through the southern part of town. The second day is the full moon day known as Yenya Punhi. During the procession known as Thaneyā , the chariots are drawn through the northern part till Asan. And on the third day Nānichāyā , the procession passes through the central section at Kilāgal. Since 2012, the chariot of Kumari has been pulled by an all-women's team on the third day of the chariot festival.
- Route on Day 1 (Kwaneyā): Basantapur, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, Maru, Basantapur.
- Route on Day 2 (Thaneyā): Basantapur, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chok, Makhan, Basantapur.
- Route on Day 3 (Nānichāyā): Basantapur, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Kilagal, Bhedasing, Indra Chok, Makhan, Basantapur.
The procession of the goddess Dāgin re-enacts Indra mother's going around town in search of her son. The procession consists of a man wearing a mask accompanied by a musical band. It starts at around 8 pm when the chariot of Kumari returns to Maru after journeying around the southern part of town.
3. Lakhey:
The demon dance of Majipā Lākhey is performed on the streets and market squares. The Majipa Lakhey dancer and his retinue of musicians move aimlessly through the streets spreading the festive mood.
4. Sawa Bhakku:
The Sawa Bhakku dance group from Halchok, at the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, makes its rounds along the festival route, stopping at major street squares to perform and receive offerings from devotees. The dancers consist of Bhairava (in blue) holding a sword and his two attendants (in red). The ensemble is also known informally as Dhin Nāli Sintān after the sound of their music.
5. Devi Dance:
Devi Pykhan from Kilagal is performed at Kilagal and Jaisidewal.
6. Mahakali Dance:
Māhākāli Pykhan from Bhaktapur performs at Durbar Square and major street squares around Kathmandu.
7. Demon(Khayah) Dance:
Khyāh Pyākhan features dancers dressed in a costume representing the Khyah, a fat, hairy ape-like creature. Their dance is marked by antics and tumbling.
8.The Puli Kishi(White Elephant):
Pulu Kisi (alternate name Tānā Kisi), a wicker representation of an elephant, runs around town re-enacting Indra's elephant searching frantically for its master.
9. Mata Biye:
Mata Biye means to offer butter lamps. On the day of Kwaneyā, the first day of the chariot festival, Newars honor family members deceased during the past year by offering small butter lamps along the processional route. They also present butter lamps to relatives and friends on the way as a mark of respect. The procession starts at around 6 pm.
- Route: Maru, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chok, Makhan, Hanuman Dhoka, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, Maru.
- Day: Kwaneyā.
10. Bau Mata:
Bau Mata consists of a long representation of a holy snake made of reeds on which a row of oil lamps are placed. The effigy is suspended from poles carried on the shoulders and taken along the festival route. The procession starts from the southern side of Kasthamandap at Maru. When the Dagin procession returns from the upper part of town and reaches Maru, that is the cue for the Bau Mata procession to set off. It starts at around 9 pm and is organized by the Manandhar caste group.
- Route: Maru, Pyaphal, Yatkha, Nyata, Tengal, Nhyokha, Nhaikan Tol, Asan, Kel Tol, Indra Chok, Makhan, Hanuman Dhoka, Maru, Chikanmugal, Jaisidewal, Lagan, Hyumata, Bhimsensthan, Maru.
- Day: Kwaneyā
Masks of Bhairava are displayed at various places in Kathmandu throughout the eight days of the festival. Bhairava is the terrifying aspect of Shiva. The largest ones are of Sweta Bhairava at Durbar Square, and of Akash Bhairava at Indra Chok. A pipe sticking out of the mouth of Sweta Bhairava dispenses alcohol and rice beer on different days.
The mask of Akash Bhairava is related to the Mahabharata. Some believe it to be the head of the first Kirat King Yalamber. Every night, different groups gather and sing hymns at Indra Chok.
An image of Indraraj Dyah with his outstretched hands bound with rope is exhibited on a tall platform at Maru near Durbar Square.
A tableau known as Dasavatar or the 10 incarnations of Vishnu is shown on the temple in front of Kumari House every night.
No comments:
Post a Comment