Chhath Puja - the tradition was started be Karna, the son of SURYA.

Chhath Puja has its origins in the Vedic age and it is often seen to have a connection with the famous Gayatri mantra and the yajna (sacrifice) associated with it. Gayatri mantra, which finds first mention in the Rig Veda, is dedicated to the Savita god i.e. Sun god. Sun is considered as the God of power, radiance and life. By performing this Puja people thank the Sun god for the gifts that he has bestowed upon them.

Chhath means six. Chhath is named so because it is celebrated mainly on the sixth and seventh day of the Hindu month of Kartik. But the whole of Chhath Puja lasts for four days. Like any other festival, it is full of colour, spirit and life.

This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a period of abstinence and ritual segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes ritual purity, and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The main worshipers, called Parvaitin, are usually women. However, a large number of men also are the main worshiper. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, for prosperity and offspring. They usually can perform Chhath only if it is passed on to them from their older generation. However, once they decide to do it, it becomes their duty to perform it every year, the festival being skipped only if there happens to be a death in the family that year.

On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. On the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha that is simply, 'Bathe and eat'. The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day from the preparation.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings that is called Prashad, is made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the Prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

The evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion. The same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual. Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.

Chhath is a very joyous and colorful festival. All the people dress up in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank.

The Prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo. The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the food.

Rituals of Chhath Puja 

Day 1:- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat)- The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.

Day 2:- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.

Day 3:- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.

The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.

‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).

The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).

Day 4:- Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).

This is the crucial part of the ritual. The whole night female family member spent in singing Chhath songs Like :

1. Kelawa jey farela ghawad sey… oh par sooga mandaraaye.....

2. Roonki jhunki beti maangila padhala pandita damaad hey Chhathi maiya.....

3. Paisee jagawe suruj mal ke amma.....

4. Saama khele chalaali… bhouji sang saheli ho.....

5. He uditanaatha…ho gelo bihaan.....

6. Bhaiya mora jaayela mahanga moonger.....

7. Kaachi kaachi baans ke bahangiya…bahangi lachkat jaye… Etc.

And cooking Prasad for the ‘Parvaitin’, who would break her fast after offering ‘Arghya’ to the Rising Sun in the morning. Everybody breaks their fast with the prasad distributed by the ‘Parvaitin’. It’s believed that the Prasad of Chhath is to be begged for and eaten—such is the sanctity of Chhath Puja. They say all your wishes come true if you beg for it to Chhathi Maiyya (The Goddes of Power) .

Kartik Nach @ Patan Darbar Square.

The Kartik Nach, as an event, was first established by the devout King Siddhi Narsingh Malla in the 17th century, during the Malla Era which begins after establishing the Natyeswar from hills in Baghdwar, Shivapuri in Saugal of Lalitpur.

The Kartik Naach that among others attributes the characteristic of tantrik power has acquired the name since it falls in the month of Kartik (October-November). It is based on Narsimha’s exploits as described on Vishnu Puran, a most appropriate holy sourcebook, as it focuses on describing the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Kartik Nach is one of the important tantric masked dances done in honour of Lord Kumar in the month of Kartik (October-November).The dance is performed as a thanks giving to Lord Kumar for his protection to the community. Various incidents of the life of Kartikeya (Kumar) are enacted in the Kartik dance. Kumar also known as Bhairava who is the patron deity of Newar of Patan and elsewhere. The gentler aspect of Kartikeya is Kumar while Bhairava is fear-inspiring and warlike.

Kartik Naach, one of the pearl immersed out from ocean of Nepali culture is the annual ritual dance drama on Kartik Dabali ( stage of Patan Durbar Square). During the first seven days, various dances used to be performed and on the eighth day, a man dressed up as Narsingh, Lord Vishnu disguising himself as a giant demon, used to kill another man dressed up as Hiranyakashyap, an evil demon as illustrated in Hindu legends. The final two days of the dance festival is important and are performed on Kartik Sukla Dwadashi and Thrayodashi – the twelfth and the thirteenth day of bright half of Kartik, according to the lunar calendar.

                     " The main focus of the play is evident: good eventually triumphs over evil."

FOURTH DAY:

Yudda Kala (War Technique) Seetjor, Bishamjor, krishna & Mahadev

FIFTH DAY:

Devi Nach (Dyola, Khyak, Kankal, Bhairav, Kumari & Mahalaxmi)

SEVENTH DAY:

Baraha Avatar - Hiranakchhey Badha 

(बराह अवतार - हिरण्याक्ष बध)

EIGHTH DAY (LAST DAY)

 Narsingh Avatar - Hiranyakashayap Bada

(नरसिंह अवतार - हिरण्यकश्यप बध)

ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP - EAT SLEEP BREAK & TREK.( 2071-6-6 TO 15)

Happiest moments of ABC.

Annapurna Base Camp
There are few treks that combine so many different landscapes and bring you so close to the base of 7,000 and 8,000-meter peaks in such a short period of time as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the most popular treks in the Annapurna region. The trail goes alongside terraced rice paddies, lush rhododendron forests and high altitude landscapes with the Annapurna Range in view most of the time.
The setting of Annapurna Base Camp at 4130 m is unique and incredibly spectacular, set amidst the majestic peaks of Annapurna I (8091 m), Annapurna South (7219 m), Machapuchhre (6993 m) and Hiunchuli (6441 m).
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes 7 to 12 days, depending on your itinerary and length of walking days. The itinerary presented here takes 12 days, starting from Nayapul (a 1 1/2 hour drive from Pokhara) and going north up to Ghorepani and the famous viewpoint at Poon Hill. From Ghorepani, you go eastward to Chomrong and then north again entering the Modi Kola Valley which leads up to the Base Camp.
Many people trek the circuit Nayapul-Ghorepani-Ghandruk-Nayapul, which is very rewarding in itself. This trek can easily be done with children as well.
You can return via Jhinu Danda and give your tired muscles a well-deserved rest in the delightful hot springs. Upon your return, it is worthwhile visiting one of the Gurung villages of Ghandruk or Landruk.
The lodges in the Annapurna Trekking Region are well equipped with extensive menus ranging from the typical Nepali dal Bhat (rice with lentils) to pizza and chow mein. Hot showers are readily available as well. If you are planning to trek in the winter months please check with a travel agency to confirm which lodges are open.
The Annapurna trekking region is easily accessible with different trailheads starting just an hour or two away from Pokhara.
Between Himalayan Hotel and Machapucchre Base Camp, there is a risk of avalanches so make sure you have the latest information on trail conditions before setting off or hire a knowledgeable guide.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek can easily be done independently. It is possible to do this trek in all seasons, however, in the winter the Base Camp can sometimes be closed due to the snow level. In springtime, the huge rhododendron forests are in full bloom which gives the trek an extra appeal.

Motive
Annual Rotract program.

Trek members
Prabhat Gurung, Aashib Karmacharye, Rabi Gorkhali, Anuj Prajapti ,Kiraj Gainju, Kishan Gurung, Kishore Munankarmi, Kristina Gurng, Sunita Gurung, Suzeeta Timilsina.


For video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdKzf4FUqTw

Day 1 2071-6-6 Bhaktapur > Kathmandu > Pokhara> Nayapul > Birethani.

exhautsted on bus.

Early in the morning, I woke up at 4:00 am in order for packing my bag and required things for the trek.
At 5:00 am, I departed to my school, where we had planned to gather but I was shocked to find that the gate was locked. I got quick-tempered and I called my pal Rabi, to come to the school as soon as possible. At 6:00 pm, everyone arrived and hurriedly, we moved to the Kamalvinayak bus stop in order to reach the Gongabu bus park, where our remaining pals were waiting for us. It took us about 1hr 45 minutes to reach the Gongabu bus park. We were a little bit late but our pals were stopping our bus for us. We departed to Pokhara at 8:am and had our breakfast at 9:45 am at a roadside hotel. We were too excited for our trek. We were just thinking about the route and views. At 12pm, we had our lunch, and then, our bus ran nonstop until we reached Pokhara. We arrived there at 3pm, however, I was feeling bus sick due to the continuous traveling of 6 hrs. We moved to Nayapul where our trekking started and we reached there at 4:25 pm. Everyone was excited to walk and walking for minutes, we reached Birethanti at 5pm.

having corns and tea

We stopped our first-day journey at Birethanti hotel. We gathered together at the dining hall and started to have maize and barley wine.

We discussed about tomorrow’s trek and after hours, we had our dinner. It was delicious and yummy and so, we had had a heavy dinner. After dinner, everyone moved to their respective rooms. Four of us, Rabi, Aashib, Anuj and I stayed in the same room. Rabi was drunk and started to sing a song (upanam k dui…..). Anuj was reloading his power on a paper whereas Aashib was snapping our pictures. I was feeling sleepy so, I slept sooner.

Day 2 Birethani > Ulleri > Ghorepani.

moving to ulleri

Early in the morning, I woke up at 5:00 am and prepared myself for today’s trekking. I packed my bag and got ready for our 1st-day trekking on the ABC route. We had our tea with maize and then at 6:45 am we moved to Ulleri. I was in a dilemma whether my trek shoes will support me through the day or not. My suspicion proved right; my shoes got ruined after walking for a few hours. My focus was just on my shoes. We kept on walking and walking for hours. The way was graveled, and up-hilled, which was making me difficult to walk. I felt energetic whenever I crossed a bridge and viewed the waterfalls. Walking hardly and forcefully, we approached Ulleri at 12:45 pm, where we had our lunch. Everyone was just tired and hungry, so we had a heavy lunch. Lunch was so delicious that we felt like having again. We rested for hours and headed for Ghorepani at 1:50 pm. But again, I felt a headache, because the way was up-hills and covered with forest. After walking for hours, I thought the way was becoming easy to walk due to plain land surface. We snapped some pictures wherever we took rest. We generally walked for minutes but rested for hours, waiting for our remaining pals. I was walking faster along with Prabhat sir, Kishore dai, and Aashib. We reached the Ghorepani at 6 pm.

After that, we headed forward to search for rooms. We did not get any, so we decided to stay at See You hotel where we dealt before. We managed 2 rooms containing 8 beds and 3 beds respectively. Boys took the room with 8 beds and girls received the 3 bedded rooms. Everybody took rest due to over-walking (nearly 8 hrs), although I was sad that my shoes were totally ruined and could not be used further. So, I along with Prabhat sir, bought new pairs of shoes. We had our dinner at 8pm and after that, everyone went for sleep.

DAY3 Poonhill > Ghorepani > Tadapani.

As usual, I woke up at 5 am but before that, I woke up at 2am because I was excited to move to Poonhill but it was raining heavily due to which I decided to sleep. But when I woke up, except me, Anuj, Prabhat sir, Kishore dai, everyone had already moved to Poonhill in order to view the sunrise.

We hurriedly got up and approached Poonhill but we were soon in dilemma whether to choose the left or right way, but since the right side was unknown to us, we selected the left one. We sped up our pace because it was a stoned stair. We walked continuously and I was just feeling uneasy due to the stairs, but I was stunned when I got the chance to view the magnificent panoramic view of Mt.Annapurna. I felt energetic and started to walk passionately in order to visit Poonhill. We reached there at 5:35 am. My goodness, we viewed the Annapurna range so closely. We took some group snaps and everyone was happy to view the spectacular scenery, however, I was not happy because the sunrise wasn’t as same as I thought it would be. After spending hours, we moved back to our hotel in order to have a tea break. After that, we packed our bag to move Tadapani, which was our today’s destination. But again, I felt a headache to find that the way was up-hills. We marched continuously for 2hrs and reached Deurali at 9am, where I shared my corns with my pals. After that, the way steeped downward until we reached to Banthani. We had our lunch at 1:30 pm. Everyone was exhausted and feeling lazy to walk. I prepared myself to prevent from being wet from the rain. I covered myself with a raincoat and carried an umbrella as well. Along with me, Aashib and Kishan dai moved forward quickly in order to reach Tadapani for booking the rooms. We reached there at 4:15pm and began to search for the hotel. I directly asked the question at the place where I took rest and discussed the price which I thought was reliable for us but still, I decided to consult with Kishan dai. He was also trying to bargain at neighboring hotels but we chose to stay where I dealt with. We moved to our room and lighted up a fire so that we could dry up our clothes. After resting for an hour, we had our dinner. I felt very irritated during dinner time because everyone was laughing without any reason, but still, I was controlled my laugh. After that, I directly went to my room, as I was feeling itching sensation on my foot. Oh, my god, it was a leech and I was shocked that I was not hurt during my daily walk. I thought from where the leech might have stuck on my foot and I came to know that it was in front of our hotel where I was standing for hours waiting for remaining friends. I put salt over the wound and the leech but after some time, I felt the same itching sensation at my right foot and realized that I was again sucked by a leech. For the whole night, I could not sleep due to the fear of leeches.

DAY 4 Tadapani > Gurjung> Chhomrong.

This morning was quite lazier than before mornings because I had not slept for the whole night due to the fear of leeches. I woke up at 6am, with my foot starting to pained again. I felt as if the leech entered my ear. We had our tea and moved forward for Gurjung. I was moving on my own speed when suddenly, while crossing a bar, I saw a pretty lady, sorry I mean babydoll, who was crossing the same bar. I kept staring at her. She smiled at me and moved on her way. I was very surprised indeed and thought of why she smiled at me. We had our noodles break at a hotel on the way. 

After a break, we trekked on to Gurjung where the way was steep, however, the barley farming energized us to keep on and it was actually awesome. I was fascinated with the farming because the whole hills were covered by the barley. We crossed the Kodaorie bridge in order to reached Gurjung. We reached there at 1:00pm where we had our lunch and after 3 years, I tasted the bull's meat which was as same as before.

We played a pool cracking jokes with double meanings. We marched forward smoothly in the plain land and we increased our walking pace as well. We clicked some pics on the way and continued our walk with fun and humor. We reached Chomrong at 5pm but our target was to reach Sinuwa, which we failed. We stayed at the new Chomrong hotel, which was fully facilitated and I could feel it as our own home. After 3 days, I got the chance to use the internet. We started fighting with each other for charging our mobiles. We had our dinner soon and then everyone got busy with their own duties, while I got busy in using the internet. At 10:00 pm, I moved to my room where instead of sleeping, Anuj was having maize corns by making sounds. His chewing sound was so disturbing that I had to request him to go to sleep and after a while, I fell asleep.

Day5  Chommrong > Sinuwa > Bamboo > Himalaya.

As usual, I woke up at 5 am, but I was awakened at 3 am before because the rest of the trekkers were enjoying the night view of virgin mountain Machhapuchre. The scenario was so amazing that it looked like an oil painting and I felt that we could view the real images of mountain at night with snow glowing like stars in those mountains. At 7am, we tasted Gurung pieces of bread in our breakfast, after which we began packing our bags to move to Sinuwa. The way was stone staired which made me easy to move faster. Eventually, as I crossed the bridge; there again was my headache giving up-hills. I was shocked when I heard that the place was Banuwa, not Sinuwa. We needed to walk for about an hour to reach Sinuwa. We carried on our journey by snapping pictures and taking rest. We reached Sinuwa at 9am, where we had our noodles break. We could view Bamboo, which was going to be our next destination for our lunch. It looked nearer from Sinuwa, but it was quite far when we walked. We faced up-hills and had a straight-headed walk. Whenever we were tired, we used to entertain each other by dancing and cracking jokes. We usually derived our inspiration from the natural scenes and thought ABC was calling us. The way was quite easy such that we reached Bamboo sooner. We had our lunch at 1:10 pm and rested for hours because Himalaya was nearer to us from Bamboo. Hence, after we reached Dovan at 2:15, we walked faster in order to book the rooms in the Himalaya. The view was so breathtaking than the other day because the hills were in my left while the river flew in my right. We reached the Himalaya at 4pm where we ended the 5^th day of our trek. We booked the rooms and went to our rooms. Except for me, everyone else was enjoying playing the cards and having drinks. I was feeling sleepy but I felt that if I would stay alone, I might get sick and so, I joined my pals. After an hour, the waiter informed us to come to the dining room for our dinner. Everyone enjoyed their own ordered dishes. After dinner, we decided to drink wine and  I drank 2 pegs because I was feeling very lazy. Everyone moved to their room for resting. I felt asleep sooner when I laid on my bed.

Day 6 Himalaya > Deurali > MBC > ABC.

Today was a full excitement trip for everyone because we were closer to our destination. I woke up at 6:00am and we had our tea in a short time so as to head forward. We departed from Himalaya at 7:15 am and walking for an hour, we stopped at Deurali for our noodles break. We moved forward enjoying the natural gifts (rivers, hills, and mountain) but not again, my headache giving up-hills for reaching MBC made me too difficult to walk. It was already difficult for me to walk after Ulleri, and now I was walking forcibly. We met a waiter at the MBC hotel where we would be having our lunch. He was inspiring us mentioning that we could reach our targeted place. I didn’t stop myself because I knew that I would hurt my knee if I stopped to walk. We crossed the up-hills but there were many stairs to take us to the hotel. I started to count the stairs in order to divert my mind and altogether, I counted there were 150 stairs. At 11 am, we reached there, and consequently, everyone was silent and exhausted. I was feeling very tired but when I saw the wifi signal, I felt active and I entered the hotel, charged my cell as well as used the internet. I was very happy to be active and to charge my cell. We had our lunch at 12:00pm but I had had lunch with nausea because of different unwanted smells. We rested for an hour because ABC was just 1hr far from MBC. During our break, we packed our bag and stuck our photos in the MBC’s hotel memory wall.

We performed dances as well as snapped some funny pictures. I was feeling like ‘oh my god’ when we headed for ABC because the road was way too different than before.

The way was easier than before as well as energizing. The wind was blowing continuously with fog and sky covered by white clouds. We were getting the vibe as if we were on a different planet. I was smiling and my smile did not sweep away because we had finally reached the ABC. Suddenly, Rabi, Anuj and I broke the route and moved on to climb the hills. Everyone was snapping pics in the welcome gate. We were dumbfounded while viewing the base of Mt. Annapurna. We were unknown that the mountain was so much closer to us unless the weather slightly cleared itself. We took some snaps there too. We were enjoying the sound of stones falling from the base of the mountain. We hiked to ABC hotel because everyone was waiting for us. We reached there at 2:20pm. We were so lucky that the weather got clear providing us with the mesmerizing views of the Annapurna range.

We were so happy to view the mountain so closely. Everyone was busy to snap the pictures. Before that, Aashib, Rabi and I erected our national flag and made us proud that we are from a country, which is ‘Heaven’ in itself. Then, we moved to our room after the temperature got colder than before. We entertained ourselves by singing songs and dancing making the moments funny, joyous and enjoyable for everyone. Hence, after that everyone chose their favorite dishes in the lunch while I ordered daal bhat. At 8pm, we had our dinner and after that, we sat on a table outside the room in order to drink lemon juice. We cracked jokes and sang a song. Later on, we moved to our room so as to could conclude our conversation. But Anuj was not happy. He expressed his inner feelings, but we were so tired of his conversation. Our sister, Suzana counseled him and after an hour, everyone slept.

Day 7 ABC> MBC> Himalaya

ABC members

Everyone woke up early in the morning in order to view the Annapurna range clearly but I was just having my sound sleep because I had slept at 2am, very late than my usual time. I woke up with a delighted fresh mind. Everyone was snapping their last pictures with happiness on their face. We had our breakfast at 7am and then, we packed our bag so as to leave ABC. We departed for MBC at 9am. This time, I was feeling much energetic to walk because of the natural beauty surrounding me, and I was feeling that we were the luckiest guys who were equally respected by local people as well as mother nature. We were walking relaxedly, by singing, dancing and acting as of a terrorist instead of firing bullet sound we are acting as tatata tatata taata (idea by Kishannarayan dai).

moving from abc to mbc  :)

However, I was in a hurry to reach MBC in order to charge my cell as well as to use the internet. But everyone reached there as soon as I arrived. I could not use the internet and I was feeling like shit. Thus, we had our power-packed noodles soup and we marched quickly in order to reach Sinuwa. Still, the way was full of fun and humor. Three of our sisters were walking ahead and we were walking together until we reached the ice cave. From here, we had left Sunita didi and moved forward. She got her ligament injured below the knee while moving downwards. Our group was scattered, signaling a bad situation was approaching us. I, Aashib, Rabi, Kishan dai, Suzane and Gurung didi were walking together until we reached Deurali. We got bored and so, Rabi and I began to show our activity. After our energy, we needed to fill some and so, we had noodles soup, which brought back our power. After waiting for hours, we decided to move forward from here leaving Suzane and Gurung didi. We reached Himalaya at 2pm, had our lunch and we waited and waited for our remaining folks. But after about an hour, while we were deciding to move forward, Kishore dai arrived with bad news informing us that we could not be going ahead. We were shocked to hear that Sunita didi got injured again. Everybody was silent, eventually, I thought to move back in order to help Anuj, Prabhat and Sunita didi along with Rabi. We were shouting and whistling so as to receive any kind of signals from where they were. I lost my sunglasses during my way on the river pass. We forcibly and hardly reached the Hinku cave after one hr, where we saw people moving down.

We were shocked to know that they were our members. We hurriedly moved there in order to rescue them. Even they were so surprised to see us. I escorted Sunita didi so that she could catch up at a quicker pace but she was not being able to do so. Walking ahead, it took us 45 minutes to reach Deurali again where we received the signal from Aashib. After meeting him, I and Rabi moved ahead from there handing Sunita didi to Aashib. They arrived at the Himalaya hotel at 6pm. Everyone was feeling exhausted because of injuries. We spent our 7^th trek night at the Himalaya hotel. Everyone was worried about us.
      Today, we slept earlier because all of us were tired and injured.

Day 8 Himalaya > Bamboo > Sinuwa > Chommrong

I woke at 6am but I found everyone was worried about Sunita didi. We had our breakfast and after that, we packed our bag to carry on our journey. After walking for a few minutes, we were helped by a Japanese tourist, who provided medicine for Sunita didi. We felt a slight relief that medicines could at least work, thereafter, we scattered. Aashib, Rabi and I were walking together discussing today’s destination and I was hoping to reach Chommrong sooner. Kishan dai was moving forward and we were behind him. We kept on walking, amidst the situation, I was in a dilemma as to whether we could reach Chommrong or not. We rested at Bamboo, where we had our lunch the day before. From there, we left Suzane and Gurung dd. OMG! my headache returned after watching the up-hills. We walked slowly and sometimes, competing with other tourists saying that we could beat them. We hardly crossed the up-hills by walking forcibly. We were walking without any food and reached Sinuwa at 5pm, where we had our power-packed noodles soup. We, 4 guys, we're waiting for others and waiting for permission so that we could move forward. We prepared ourselves in order to avoid the rain.

on the dilemma of whether to move or not.

I was feeling happy that we were moving forward to Chommrong. We had had the rain-wind trek experiences, such that we sped up our walk. We were moving faster in order to book rooms. Again… omg! the headache stoned stairs plus the up-hills, made us totally tired and hungry. Aashib was feeling difficult to walk whereas Rabi was totally weak because of hunger. I, on the other hand, was encouraging them to walk handling my umbrella hardly against the wind which was blowing harder than before. We were in such a bad condition that we were totally unable to move but thinking this is what true trekking called, we moved on without stopping unless we reach the New Chommrong hotel, where we would spend our night as in the previous day. We reached there at 6:30 pm, but we were again shocked to know that the room was full. We waited for hours in order to get the room. We, luckily, got two rooms in the absence of other guests. I was happy to use the internet and forgot my tiredness due to chatting online. We ordered our dinner and had rest. I was hanging on the internet, Kishan dai was flirting with Japanese girls, whereas Rabi and Aashib were resting on their room. We had our dinner at 8pm, after-a-while, I felt difficult in swallowing the saliva. I felt like I had eaten the tissue paper, so I tried to vomit forcibly, but the condition was the same. I ordered ginger tea in order to have some relief. My condition did not improve, so I thought to go to sleep.

Day 9 Chommrong > Jhinu > Kyumi
As usual, I woke up at 6am, although I was feeling lazy because I was totally tired from yesterday’s rained trek. We got information that our remaining groups were approaching toward Chommrong steeps. We marched downward in order to receive them. They were feeling tired but there was happiness to find that everyone was united once again. After meeting everyone, we discussed our further trekking but I was just listening to their conversation. While they were discussing I thought of sleeping but Suzana didi was getting hurried to move on. At 9 am, we had our lunch and after that, we hurried to move forward.  I was thinking how Sunita didi could move (I was feeling like ‘hey vagwan aaja k hune hola’). We started our trek, but I was just feeling totally lazy to walk. So, I asked Prabhat sir what should I do. He suggested to me ‘baki k gardai cha tei gara’. I was feeling that Prabhat sir, Rabi, Anuj and Kishor dai would stay at Jhinu because they were walking relaxedly. Crossing Chommrong, I felt that I should keep walking because remaining were having rest whereas Kishan dai was moving at front. Despite my laziness, I felt energetic to move to Jhinu so that I enjoy a warm bath at the hot spring. I felt relaxed after meeting Kishan dai where he was having a conversation with local people. We were offered lemon with coffee and we thought that we should pay them but they denied. Waiting for our folks, made us bored, that’s why we decided to move forward to the hot spring where we could enjoy our warm bath, but a ticket was required in order to have the bath. I was surprised to know that the hot spring was nearer to the river. Kishan dai was already busy in his job (conversation with tourists). After him, I dove into the pool where everyone was relaxing. After 3o minutes of the warm bath, we decided to head back.

Kishan dai and I were moving forward as I was feeling hurried. I packed my bag hurriedly and I moved in a pressure to match up to his pace but when I found that, the rest of the guys were having a beer and relaxedly heading towards the spring, I felt very bad for myself. I got angry with the rest of the guys because I felt that they betrayed me. I was so confused to decide whether to move forward or stay with them. Because I was angry, I moved forward to reach Kyumi. 

Then, while we were stopping, I saw that 3 of our sisters had already crossed the bridge and were approaching forward. We walked for an hour crossing many obstacles. Kishan dai and I were walking ahead from all, that’s why we took rest at a hotel in order to wait for 3 sisters. He decided to forward but I was still waiting for them. Before we met, I felt so happy to get care from the local hotel owner. I felt a greater sense of Nepalese hospitality from him because he was worried about us. I invite him to come to visit Bhaktapur once. We trekked up to the place where Kishan dai had forgotten his way, and so he was waiting for us.  He was taking the Ghandruk way. We were together until we reached Kyumi, and this time we had the experience of night trekking. We were glad to accomplish our destination target. We booked a room, however, we were worried about hiring vehicles to return to Kathmandu. In spite of this matter, we had a nice dinner and slept sooner. According to a source, Sunita didi had cried because of pressure and pain. I thought and felt how she might have tackled the pain because, during the dusk trekking, I was with her. I was glad that she walked faster than the day before.  Hats off to Sunita didi.

Day 10 Kyumi > Naya pul > Ktm > Bkt.

This was our last day at ABC ACAP. I woke up with a relax mood at 7 am. We had our breakfast with fun. We knew that today was going to be quiet pressurizing than the other days because half of our gang was at Jhinu whereas we were going to move forward for Syualibazar to get a van. We got called that they were coming downward, so Kishan dai and I headed to Syaulibazar. We walked slowly and relaxing whereas our remaining pals were moving faster in order to catch us up. When we reached Syaulibazar, everyone was waiting for the jeep. We waited for the rest of our group, who arrived according to our assumed time. We gathered together at 10 am, and without wasting time, we booked a jeep and moved to Pokhara. Nearly about 10hrs after, we reached Kathmandu. We reserved a car and moved to our common home, Bhaktapur.

धर्म संस्कृति नेवारी संस्कृतिम स्वन्ति नाखः तिहार

धर्म संस्कृति नेवारी संस्कृतिम स्वन्ति नाखः तिहार

कल्याण मित्र

नेवारहरूको आºनै मौलिक संस्कृति र परम्परा रही आएको छ । यो नेवारहरूको पहिचान पनि हो । परापूर्वकालदेखि नै नेवारहरूको आºनै भाषा, धर्म र संस्कृति चल्दै आइरहेको छ । नेवारी चाडबाड, विभिन्न देवदेवीका जात्रा पर्व र मेलाले गर्दा नै नेवारहरू संस्कृतिका धनी भएका हुन् । नेवारी संस्कृति नै आज आएर राष्ट्रकै संस्कृति र सम्पदाको रूपमा उल्लेखनीय बन्न पुगिसकेको छ । कतिपय नेवारी संस्कृति र सम्पदाहरू विश्व सम्पदाको सूचीमा परिसकेका छन् ।

नेवारहरूकै मात्र देश भइरहेको बेलादेखि मनाउँदै आएका विभिन्न चाडबाड, जात्रापर्व र मेलामध्ये एउटा अत्यन्तै रमाइलो चाड हो, स्वन्ति नखः तिहार । नेवार समुदायले कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म पाँच दिन देशभर स्वन्ति नखः मनाउँछन् । अब आएर स्वदेशमा मात्र होइन विदेशमा रहेका नेवारहरूको पनि त्यतिकै चासो र महŒव दिएर मनाउन थालेका छन् । पाँच दिनसम्म मनाउने स्वन्ति नखःमा काग पूजा, कुकुर पूजा, लक्ष्मी पूजा, म्ह पूजा र भाइटीका गरी मनाउँछन् । नेवारहरूले गोवद्र्धन पूजा भने गर्दैनन् । काग तिहारदेखि भाइटीकासम्म पाँच दिन मानिने तिहारलाई यमपञ्चक पनि भनिन्छ । पाँच दिनसम्म यमराज मत्र्यमण्डलमा बस्ने मान्यता भएकाले यमपञ्चक भनिने हो ।

काग पूजा

तिहारको पहिलो दिन कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीका दिन नेवारहरूले कागलाई ‘जङति क्वः’ यमदूत मानेर पूजा गर्दछन् । कागको धेरै गुण भएकाले पनि पूजा गर्ने चलन चलेको हो । मानिसलाई विभिन्न किसिमले सहयोग गर्दै आइरहेको कागले समय–समयमा सूचना दिन आउँछ भन्ने पुरानो धारणा पाइन्छ । घरको कौसीमा वा छतमा काग आएर करायो भने सुवोल सुवोल भन्ने चलन अभैm पनि छ । कागसँग कुनै पनि काम पूरा नभएसम्म लागिरहने गुण भएकाले ‘काग चेष्टा’ पनि भन्ने गरिन्छ । हामी मानिसहरूले पनि काग चेष्टालाई कहिल्यै बिर्सनुहुँदैन । कागले भैंm हामीले पनि गरिरहेको काममा लागिरहनुपर्छ भन्ने ज्ञान लिनुपर्छ । नेवारहरूको पशुपन्छीलाई खुवाउनुपर्छ भन्ने पुरानो चलनअनुसार अहिलेसम्म पनि परेवा, भंगेरा र कागलाई चामल, भातको भाग राखेर खुवाउने चलन छ । कागतिहारका दिन कागलाई पूmलटीकासहित घरमै पकाएको दालभात, तरकारी पातमा राखेर कागलाई चढाएर काग पूजा गर्ने चलन छ ।

कुकुर पूजा

तिहारको दोस्रो दिन कात्तिक चतुर्दशीमा कुकुरलाई पूजा गरिन्छ । यो दिनलाई नरक चतुर्दशी पनि भनिन्छ । कुकुरलाई पनि यमका दूतका रूपमा मान्ने गरिन्छ । कुकुरलाई भैरवको वाहन पनि भनिन्छ । कुकुरले मानिसलाई अनेक प्रकारले सेवा, सुरक्षा गर्दै आइरहेको पाइन्छ । घर–घरमा चोरले चोर्न नसकोस् र टोलैपिच्छे कुनै पनि खराब मानिसहरूबाट हानि–नोक्सानी नपु¥याओस् भनी कुकुरले सुरक्षा दिइरहेको हुन्छ । यसरी सुरक्षा गर्दैै आइरहेको कुकुरको धेरै गुण छ । हाल आएर त तालिम प्राप्त कुकुरले विभिन्न किसिमका अपराधी पत्ता लगाउने कामसमेत गर्न थालिसकेको छ । दैवी विपत्तिका घटनाको सूचना पनि कुकुरले पहिला नै दिएर मानिसहरूलाई सचेत र होसियारी पनि गराउँछ । यसप्रकार विभिन्न गुण भएका कुकुरलाई तिहारमा पूmल, टीका र माला लगाइदिएर रोटी खुवाएर पूजा गर्दछन् ।

लक्ष्मी पूजा

 traditional handmade picture of Lakshmi holding a "Jwala nhayekan" and "Sinhamoo".

तिहारको तेस्रो दिन कात्तिक कृष्ण औंसीमा लक्ष्मी पूजा गर्ने भन्दै बिहान गाईलाई लक्ष्मी माता मानेर पूजा गर्छन् भने बेलुका लक्ष्मी देवीलाई पूजा गर्छन् । कुनै पनि धार्मिक कार्य वा संस्कार गर्दा गोबरले भुइँ लिपेर गोमूत्र छर्केर चोखो पार्नुपर्छ । ठूला–ठूला धार्मिक कार्य गर्नुअघि गौदान गर्ने पनि चलन छ । कुनै पनि धार्मिक कार्यमा गाईको दूध, दही, घिउ, गोबर र गोमूत्र नभई हुन्न ।

जनैपूर्णिमाका दिन हातमा बाँधिराखेको रक्षा सूत्रलाई लक्ष्मी पूजाका दिन गाईको पुच्छरमा बाँधिदिए मरिसकेपछि स्वर्गमा जाने बाटोमा पर्ने वैतरणी नदी गाईले तारिदिन्छे भन्ने धार्मिक मान्यता रही आएको छ । गाईलाई गौमाताको रूपमा मान्यता दिइराखेको छ । गौहत्या महापाप हो भनी हाम्रो देशमा गौहत्यालाई मानिसकै हत्या बराबर मानेर कानुनी व्यवस्था गरिएको छ । गाईको पनि यमराज र यमलोकसँग सम्बध छ भन्ने मान्यता रही आएको छ । यसरी विभिन्न महŒव भएको गाईलाई लक्ष्मी पूजाका दिन बिहान सबेरै टीका र पूmलको माला लगाई दिएर रोटी, साग, फलपूmल खुवाएर पूजा गरिन्छ ।

लक्ष्मी पूजाका दिन बिहान घरभरि सरसफाइ गरेर चोखोनितो गरेर पवित्र पारेपछि लक्ष्मी पूजाको तयारी गरिन्छ । बेलुका पूजा गरिने लक्ष्मी देवीलाई धन–धान्यकी देवी र ऐश्वर्यका प्रतिकका रूपमा लिइन्छ । औंसीका दिन पूजा गर्नुपर्ने लक्ष्मी देवीलाई पूजाकोठासम्म भिœयाउने गरिन्छ ।

नेवारहरूले पूजा गर्ने लक्ष्मी नेवारी संस्कृतिअनुसार आºनैपनको छ । नेवारहरूले लक्ष्मीको मूर्तिमा पूजा नगरी पुंहरूले (नेवार चित्रकार) लेखिराखेको लक्ष्मी देवी चित्रमा पूजा गर्छन् । चार हात भएको अर्धपद्मासनमा बसी खुट्टाले कछुवाको जिउमा टेकेको दाहिने हातमा ज्वला न्ह्याय्कं (परम्परागत ऐन) र देब्रे हातमा सिन्हःमू (परम्परागत सिंदूरको बट्टा) लिएकी हुन्छिन् भने अरू दुई हातमा अभय र वर मुद्रा भएकी लक्ष्मी देवीलाई नै पूजा गरिने हो । लक्ष्मी देवीका दायाँ–बायाँ कुवेर र ख्याक हुन्छन् । नेवारहरूले पूजा गर्ने यस्ती लक्ष्मी देवी रातो वर्णकी हुन्छिन् । रातो भन्नु नै अग्नि र शक्तिको प्रतिक हो । लक्ष्मी देवीको पाउमुनि बस्ने कछुवालाई सहनशीलताको प्रतीकको रूपमा लिइन्छ । त्यस्तै, धनको पोको कुम्ल्याएर बोकिरहेका कुवेरलाई धन–सम्पत्तिका मालिकको रूपमा लिइएको छ भने ख्याकलाई ढुकुटीको पाले रक्षकको रूपमा लिइएको छ । लक्ष्मीदेवीको गणका रूपमा बसिरहेका कुवेर र ख्याक भएका लक्ष्मी देवीलाई नै लक्ष्मी पूजाका दिन नेवारहरूले आºनै मौलिक रितले पूजा गर्ने चलन छ ।

नेवारहरूले लक्ष्मी पूजाका दिन पूजा गर्दा बसिरहेकी लक्ष्मीको चित्रमा पूजा गर्छन् भने अन्य जातिकाले उभिरहेकी लक्ष्मी देवीको चित्रमा पूजा गर्ने गरेको देखिन्छ । बसिरहेकी लक्ष्मी गृहलक्ष्मी हुन् भने उभिरहेकी लक्ष्मी राज्यलक्ष्मी हुन् । बसिरहेकी गृहलक्ष्मीले गृहस्थी स्थिर गराउने गरी विभिन्न पेसा, खेतीपाती, व्यापार, व्यवसाय र सीपमूलक कार्यमा दक्ष एवं सम्पन्न गराउँछिन् भने उभिरहेकी लक्ष्मी राज्यलक्ष्मीले राजकाजसम्बन्धी, शासन र प्रशासनसम्बन्धी कार्यमा दक्षता प्रदान गरी सम्पन्न गाउँछिन् भन्ने मान्यता छ ।

नेवारहरूले यसरी पुजिँदै आएकी लक्ष्मी देवी महालक्ष्मीकै साक्षात रूप हुन् । महालक्ष्मीको अर्को भयंकर रूप महिषमार्दिनीले महिषासुरलाई बध गर्दा रक्सी सेवन गरी मात्तिएकी देवी भएकीले नेवारहरूले लक्ष्मीदेवी पूजा गर्दा राँगाको मासुको छ्वयला, अन्डालगायत समयबजी र जाँड–रक्सी पनि चढाउने गर्छन् । ललितपुरको महालक्ष्मी सयानमा पूजा गरिँदै आएको महालक्ष्मीको मूर्ति महिषमार्देनीकै रहेको छ । त्यस्तै, काठमाडौंको न्युरोड विशालबजारस्थित महालक्ष्मीको मन्दिरमा पनि महिषमार्देनीकै मूर्ति रहेको छ । यी महालक्ष्मी देवीलाई बलि दिने चलन छ ।

म्ह पूजा

तिहारको चौथो दिन कात्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदामा नेवारहरूले म्ह पूजा र नेसंको नयाँ वर्ष मनाउने दिन हो । नेवारी संस्कृतिको मौलिकताले भरिएको यस म्ह पूजाका दिन नेवारहरूले आºनो शरीरलाई देवता मानेर म्ह पूजा–आत्मपूजा गर्दा आºनो शरीरमा देवाव प्राप्त होस्, शरीरमा भएका खराब तŒवहरू निस्कियोस्, अन्य खराब तŒवहरू नभित्रियोस्, दिनदशा पनि शुभ होस्, कसैसँग ऋण सापटी पनि लिन नपरोस्, आपूmले गरेका शान्तिपूर्वक जीवनयापन गर्न पाइयोस् भन्ने विभिन्न किसिमका आशीर्वाद थापेर सगुन लिएर टीका लगाई म्ह पूजा गर्छन् । म्ह पूजा गर्दा अष्ट चिरञ्जीवीको प्रतिक र अष्ट ऐश्वर्य झल्कने गरी आकर्षक मण्डप बनाएर त्यसमा आत्मस्वरूप पूजा गरेर सोही मण्डपमाथि भोज राखेर (खुवाइन्छ) यही दिन राष्ट्रिय विभूति शंखधर साख्वाःले ११३४ वर्षअघि देशभरका जनतालाई ऋणमुक्त पारेर चलाएको नेपाल संवत् पनि फेरिन्छ । नयाँ वर्ष लागेको उपलक्ष्यमा ‘न्हू दँया भिन्तुना’ भन्दै देशैभरि र बाहिर विदेशमा समेत भिन्तुना ¥याली र विभिन्न कार्यक्रमको आयोजना गरी नेवारहरूले भव्य रूपमा मनाउँछन् ।

भाइ टीका

brothers being worshipped by their sister.

तिहारको पाँचौं दिन कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयामा भाइटीका गरिन्छ । दिदीबहिनीहरूले आºना दाजुभाइहरूलाई पूजा गर्छन् । भाइटीका गर्दा पनि म्ह पूजामा जस्तै मण्डप बनाएर दिदीबहिनीले आºना दाजुभाइलाई माया, ममताले भरिएको मनले आशिष दिँदै उसिनेको अन्डा र रक्सीको सगुन दिई पूmलको माला, कोखा (धागोको माला) लगाई दिएर थरीथरीका मिठाई, रोटी र फलपूmल पनि दिई भोज खुवाउने नेवारी परम्परा रही आएको छ । दाजुभाइले पनि दिदीबहिनीलाई आºनो गच्छेअनुसारका उपहार वा पैसा दिने गर्छन् । यसरी गरिने भाइटीकामा दिदीबहिनी र दाजुभाइबीचको सुमधुर सम्बन्धका साथै दाजुभाइका सुख, समृद्धि र दिदीबहिनीका सौभाग्य दिगो हुने मान्यता रही आएको छ ।

पञ्चरात्रि मेला

नेवारी संस्कृतिअनुसार दसैंमा नवरात्रि मेला गर्ने सन्दर्भमा तीर्थमा गई स्नान गरेर नौओटै शक्तिपीठमा गएर देवताको दर्शन गर्ने चलन छ । त्यस्तै, तिहारमा पनि पञ्चरात्रि मेला भर्ने सन्दर्भमा पाँचओटा तीर्थमा गएर नुहाई पाँचओटै शक्तिपीठको पूजा गरेर पाँचओटा महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिने चलन छ ।

कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीदेखि कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयासम्म पाँचओटा तीर्थमा गएर स्नान गर्ने सन्दर्भमा क्रमैसँग निर्मल तीर्थ (भचाखुसी), चिन्तामणि तीर्थ (टेकु), महेन्द्र तीर्थ (तिजाखुसी), निधान तीर्थ (लखुतीर्थ) र कालमोचन तीर्थ (थापाथली) मा बिहान सबेरै सांस्कृतिक बाजा बजाउँदै गएर मेला भर्ने गछन् ।

पञ्चरात्रि मेला भर्ने सन्दर्भमा गर्नुपर्ने पूजाविधि र त्यसबाट प्राप्त हुने फल परम्परागत र धार्मिक मान्यताअनुसार क्रमैसँग यस प्रकार छन्–

१) कात्तिक कृष्ण त्रयोदशीका दिन निर्मला तीर्थ (भचाखुसी) इन्द्रायणी अजिमाको पीठमा गएर अजिमाको देब्रेतिर रहेको महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिएर कलिहः नामक पूmल चढाएर, चाँदीको चक्की गुल्पा दान गर्नुपर्छ । अनि इन्द्रायणी अजिमा र गणेशलाई भोज, चढाउनुपर्छ । यसबाट सबैका रोग, व्याध निर्मूल भई धन प्राप्ति हुन्छ भन्ने धार्मिक जन विश्वास छ ।

२) कात्तिक कृष्ण चतुर्दशीका दिन चिन्तामणी तीर्थ (टेकु) मा श्रीकालीको पीठमा गई कुलेश्वर महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिई सुकन्दर राज नामक पूmल चढाएर नवरत्न दान गर्नुपर्छ । श्रीकाली र नासःधः लाई भोज चढाउनुपर्छ । यसबाट सबै धनधान्यपूर्ण भई अन्न प्राप्ति हुने जनविश्वास छ ।

३) कात्तिक कृष्ण औंसीका दिन महेन्द्र तीर्थ (हिजाखुसी) को मैती अजिमाको पीठमा गई मैतीदेवीसँगै रहेको महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिई मिकुस्वां नामक पूmल चढाएर द्रव्य दान गर्नुपर्छ । अनि मैती अजिमालाई भोज पनि चढाउनुपर्छ । यसबाट सबैको लक्ष्मी स्थिर हुन्छ भन्ने जनविश्वास छ ।

४) कात्तिक शुक्ल प्रतिपदाका दिन निधान तीर्थ (लखुतीर्थ कंकेश्वरी अजिमा स्थानमा जानेर मरुटोलका सन्तानेश्वर महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिई अजु स्वां नामक पूmल चढाएर सुन र धान दान गर्नुपर्छ । अनि कंकेश्वरी अजिमालाई भोज चढाउनुपर्छ । यसबाट सबैको दुःख, दरिद्र, नास भई धनधान्यले सम्पन्न हुने जनविश्वास छ ।

५) कात्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीयाका दिन कालमोचन तीर्थ (थापाथली) मा देलाय् अजिमाको पीठमा जानुपर्ने र जमलका महादेवलाई अघ्र्य दिई सर्वावधी नामक पूmल चढाएर सिंहासन र छत्र दान गर्नुपर्छ । साथै, देलाय् अजिमालाई भोज पनि चढाउनुपर्छ । यसबाट अकाल मृत्यु नहुने र सबैको कल्याण हुने जनविश्वास छ ।

यसरी पञ्चरात्रि मेलामा भाग लिने हजारौं भक्तजनले देशमा सुख, शान्ति होस् र सम्पूर्ण नेपालीहरूको सुख, समृद्धि, सुस्वास्थ्य, दीर्घायुको कामना गर्दै सबैको कल्याण होस् भनी प्रार्थना गर्छन् ।