" The Sacraments of Newar community of Bhaktapur "

 SACRAMENTS

Since forever man has strived to enhance his own particular self. This acknowledgment, extraordinary just to humankind, has driven him to contemplate his physical, mental, and profound prosperity. Towards this end, the Vedic diviners recommended a set of observances, known as Sacraments.

      The closest English word for the ceremony is a holy observance, identified with the expression 'sacraments of section'. In the Oxford English Dictionary, holy observance is characterized as a "religious service or act viewed as an outward and noticeable indication of internal or profound elegance."

      People from different religions have their own sacraments which are usually performed in different stages of their life .e.g  name-giving ceremony, baptize, marriage and funeral, etc which are performed according to their concern religions. As a result, being the same sacraments performing formalities are different in different religions. For e.g Christian used to wear white costumes during their marriage whereas red costumes usually wear by Hindus it is because of their religion as well as their world view.

      In established Sanskrit writings, for example, Raghuvamsha, Kumarsambhava, Abhijnan-Shakuntal, Hitopadesha, and Manu Smruti, the holy observance is used to mean: instruction, development, preparing, refinement, flawlessness, linguistic virtue, cleaning, adornment, improvement, a purificatory ceremony, a sacrosanct custom, sanctification, purification, the impact of past activities (karmas), the value of karmas, and so on. The general meaning of holy observance, enveloping almost the greater part of the above is "to enhance something while evacuating its undesirable traits."

Reason for Sacraments

1.Cultural: The assortment of customs and ceremonies identified with the holy observance help in the arrangement and improvement of identity. In the Parashar Smruti, it is said, "Pretty much as a photo is painted with different hues, so the character of a man is framed by experiencing different holy observance." Thus, the Hindu sages understood the need to deliberately managing and forming the character of people, rather than letting them develop in an indiscriminate way.

2.Spisacraments: As indicated by the soothsayers, ceremony grants higher holiness to life. Polluting influences connected with the material body are annihilated by performing holy observance. The entire body is blessed and made a fit home for the Atma (Spirit). As indicated by the Atri Smruti a man has conceived a Shudra; by playing out the Upanayana Sacraments he turns into a Dvija (twice conceived); by procuring the Vedic legend he turns into a Vipra (an enlivened writer); and by acknowledging Brahman (God) he gets to be a Brahmin. The holy observance is a type of profound attempt (sadhana) - an outer discipline for inside profound illumination. Along these lines, the whole existence of a Hindu is one thousand holy observances. The Isha Upanishad uncovers that the last objective of the ceremony, by watching the sacraments and ceremonies is "to rise above the subjugation of samsara and cross the sea of death." To this, we can include that in the wake of rising above the cycle of births what's more, passings, the Atma accomplishes Paramatma - the Lord Purushottam.

According to the holy observance of the sacraments which are still practices in Newar community of Bhaktapur is:

1.Pre-natal Sacrament

2.Childhood Sacraments

a. Janma and Namakaran (Birth/ Name Giving )

b. Macha Janko (First bolstering / Rice Feeding )

c. Kayatapuja (Chudakarma \ Brat –Bandha)

d. Ihi and Barha

3. Vhyah/Ihipa (Marriage Sacraments)

4.Janko (Vhim Ratharohan)

5.Sithan (Death Sacrament)

1.Pre-natal sacrament.
There are many prenatal sacraments, however, the majority of those: pusawan kriya, simatopanayan, for example, are no longer in existence. Nevertheless, Dhau baji-nakegu (offering yogurt and flattened rice along with yomari, sweets, etc) during pregnancy is still practiced by many castes.

2.Childhood Sacraments.

 a.Janma and Namakaran (Birth/ Name giving )

Pregnancy is a natural desire among married women. Pregnancy, in the rural area women failing to conceive used to be administered some herbs by the Aji. Even in the urban center like Bhaktapur, there is still the practice of such non-conceiving women being treated with magico-sacraments formula. 

On the birth of a child, the first person to inform is the mother’s brother of the child. The birth purificatory rite is held on the 6^th day in case of the first child and on the fourth day. After birth, the concerned family turns out to be sacramentally unclean. They get to be immaculate after shudikaran (purification) convention which is done within the 12th day after the labor. Only after shudikaran further religious activities can be done in the upcoming days. During the birth purification day, all the members of the newly born child’s paternal family as well as ‘Phukee’ members are required to undergo the purification rite of ‘Nisi-Yae- Gu’. This includes two different Sacraments, namely, ‘Lusi-Thike-Gu’. (Cutting of the nails by the barer) and ‘Ala-Taya-Gu’. Besides, bathing is also necessary. The house to be purified with cow dung solution and by sprinkling cow – milk all over the house. After this, the Aji or the chief lady of the Phukee group lifts the child and places it on the lap of its father as a token of the acceptance of fatherhood.

Performing a name-giving ceremony

 According to family decision namakaran (name giving) is also performed during these sacraments.

b. Macha Janko (First Bolstering /Rice Feeding )

According to our Newar culture rice feedings is done after 4 or 5^th months from the birth of a baby. It is done knowing that mother’s milk is not enough for a baby after 6 months. There is additionally a custom of offering various types of nourishments from the maternal home of the mother inside a month of conveyance, which is known as 'Baji nakah wonegu' or " Machaboo swahwanegu'. In this sacraments, baby feed with rice pudding which is brought from the Dattaraya temple and after that according to the family will treat usually offered to family and friends.

c.Kayatapuja (Brat –Bandha)

Brata-banda at Brahamayani temple

The start of adulthood is called Kayatapuja. In this, every one of the loves including in other residential functions furthermore including cleric and distinctive classifications of kinfolk gatherings, and in addition the utilization of sacraments destinations are rehashed. In this sacrament, the part of the mother's sibling and the father's sister is the same as in Busakha. The center demonstration in this sacraments is that the thakali educator the kid to wear the Kaeta. Thereafter takes after the sacraments of Pathi-Lui-Gu'. It comprises in showering over the kid rice, organic products, and so on three times as a characteristic of gifts bu the Thakali-Naki showering is done from a Grain measuring pot called Pathi. At last the Thakali demonstrates the Jwala-Nhaika. After Kaeta puja, the kid is a full-grown individual. Kayatapuja or altering of loin material is done to check the fulfillment of adolescence. Bajracharya and Shakyas play out the tonsure function, Chudakarma. Amid this, one needs to visit altars and pay praise to Kwahpahdyoh and make offerings. After kayatapuja, Jyapus and Sayamis experience Ohla (which is less drilled nowadays) ual from his station, he can now play out every one of the holy observances for his folks.

d. Ihi (Bel Vivah)  and  Barha
Ihi       

This is a sacraments typical marriage with a bel (byah) natural product, the image of ruler Vishnu. This service celebrated at the age of 5-11, is done to forestall widowhood. As they are hitched to eternal master, the Newar young ladies never get to be a widow. The young ladies are likewise taught family unit works in Ihi.   

Holding Bel

The most impossible to miss sacraments took after among Newar young lady is ihi (additionally ehee). Otherwise called bel byah, it is a typical marriage with a bel (Aegle mermalous) natural product. This sacrament is done among the young lady between the ages of four to eleven preceding achieving the time of adolescence, where they are hitched to master Shiva that the organic product is kept in his place. Newar people had attacked outside Nepal where the customs are to some degree lost yet at the same time it is found in each Newar house that the Bel byah have been made. This standard marriage is thought to be the most blessed holy observances in this respectable faction. With this marriage to the godlike master, the Newar young lady won't take after widowhood when their better half passes away. It is trusted that even remarriage should be possible.

      On the day of ihi the spot is cleaned and swabbed with bovine excrement and red soil to make it unadulterated. The ihi young lady is showered and does fasting for the entire daylong. The girl of Brahmin is spoken to the natural product, she is called locantee. The function begins in the morning with the bali (slaughtering) of goat or a duck to Lord Ganesha. Adherents of Boudh Newar never do the executing and the poor one can do it with a boiled egg. Eight distinct banners speaking to eight Devi are worshiped and submerged to the stream. A pindah for a bael natural product is made where bamboo root and grass is set. (A pindah is made of khir blended with dark teel and completely shaped) This is done to satisfy the predecessors of both his dad and mom's family.

Measuring yellow strings, 108 times

      The young lady is conveyed to the puja site where the yellow string is measured from head to feet for 108 times and from that point, a mala is made and given to the young lady. Water from the thakali, a water vase is taken by the savant and sprinkled over the ihi young lady to make her immaculate. 84 distinct assortments of vegetables are put before the young lady that she needs to taste the five and remaining she will touch it and will be drenched in a heavenly place. This finishes at the end of the main day.

      The following morning cutting of nails is done trailed by the cleaning of the nails. A bit of crude meat, little custard oil, and some cash is given to the nauni, the individual who cuts the nail. Nini of the young lady gathers the nails in a copper plate; she too will be given cash. At that point, the ihi young lady is wearing a red sari or chaubandi choli as a lady of the hour.

Sicha fhangu is a custom where the Newar young lady, the locantee go about as a ruler Shiva and with the stem of the bael organic product put the sindoor on the brow of the ihi young lady. The young lady is offered milk, dahi, products of the soil.

Kanyadaan

Kanyadaan, a hand of ihi young lady is given to the hand of the girl's father to devote the young lady to the ruler. Consequently, the ihi young lady touches the feet of locantee and washes her feet.

New garments are offered to the ihi young lady and three-clench hand full rice. In some service both the ihi young lady and the locantee are conveyed by the siblings and made to move along the flame three times. The intellectual put tika on the temple of the ihi young lady and from that point other too joins to favor the lady of the hour young lady. There is likewise convention that the other relative and the relatives wash the feet of the ihi young lady and beverage the water of the feet. Sustenance is offered to every one of the visitors and the ihi function end after this.

Offering new clothes and 3-clench hands full of rice

The bel natural product after the service is kept securely or inundated to the stream. It is viewed as a misfortune if the organic product gets harm. Since the young lady has effectively married the master Shiva, after her marriage to another spouse in her later years she should stay unaltered even she turns into a dowager. She should dependably remain the spouse of Lord Shiva at the first moment.

      A fascinating story has been discovered with respect to the cause of the bel byah that says, it was amid the season of Ranas, the poise of the Newar young ladies was under major dilemma. The Rana and his men used to take after the young ladies and look with healthy eyes. It was this purpose behind the Newar to spare their future eras they made an arrangement and wedded their kids with the bel organic product. Since this organic product is viewed as blessed and discovered single that they settled on the decision. The Ranas used to regard the wedded ladies so their cruel state of mind towards the Newar young ladies likewise changed. Since the wedding with a natural product spared the Newar group for its presence the practice is still pervasive.

Bahra (Gufa)

      After the ihi or the bel byah, next come to the Bahra, a customary holy observance restriction of a young lady before the onset of a period. This sacrament is done when a young lady enters her childhood. A young lady in the wake of having experienced ihi is kept isolated from all makes and from daylight for 12 days. She needs to stay in a dull room. On the twelfth day, the young lady is sanitized and the capacity closes with a Bhoj (customary Newar dinner where all relatives are available). These holy observances are of two sorts, Bahra tyagu and Bahra chauneygu. The primary Sacrament is performed before the beginning of menses. This is done to the girls between the age of 5-13 years. All the more then one young lady can take after the Sacraments yet if there should be an occurrence of Bahra Chauneygu, one and only young lady needs to experience.

Thakali naki putting sindoor on the brow of the girl

   In both events, a hole of fabrics, Bahra Khayak (symbol of the ghost in the form of doll) is made and worshiped. It is trusted that the young lady is under the detestable ownership. A different dinner for the khayak is taken out from the supper of the given in a young lady. Salt is not utilized as a part of any of the feast and the young lady is entertained with society tunes and moves performed by her companions. For all the 12 days thakali Naki (female head of family), venerates the Khyak and will do all the young lady work. She is the medium between the young lady and her family. Till the 11 days, the relatives are viewed as tainted, however, the wedded sisters can't be checked. On the sixth day, specific lamp oil is given by the paju (Maternal uncle) that is put on the face by the ladies in the family lastly putting it on the hair of the young lady simply finishing the utilization of salts.

     

Suryadarsan

It is simply after the 11 days the young lady is considered as immaculate and sacred. It is known as Nishi Yayagu. At that point, the young lady pays reverence to the sun god. She will be washed and will be visually impaired collapsed. She is then taken to the open space to have a Surya Darshan. Amid these holy observances, thakali-naki (female head of family ) plays out the real part. She first worships the Ganesha and sun god.  

Performing puja after suryadarsan

Fistful wheat seed and rice are given to the young lady that she tosses in reverse. This is accomplished for three times. Sindoor is put on the brow of the young lady and a new dress is exhibited. The young lady now can wear a sari, she is considered as ladies. In admiration of the position, everybody favors the young lady with a tika, made of pitho and oil. The young lady is then given Sagun (Newar prasad), first to the hereditary divinity, and after that to other relatives. Every relative now considers that the young lady is not an insignificant youngster but rather has now turned into a pre-adult. The first experience with the monthly cycle is normal and after the bhoj the ceremonies end.

3.Vhyah/Ihipa (Marriage Sacraments)

90s marriage putting garlands

Marriage with a human spouse is additionally a genuine marriage since it results in sweeping socio-religious outcomes for Newar ladies. Her part and status as a little girl experience an adjustment for being a spouse and girl in-law. She breaks her connection with the tribal divine beings for her human spouse. Yet, the occasion, her part, and status as a wedded lady are changed in accordance with Yihi samakara. The main stylized demonstration of Viyah is the execution of prearranged engagement which is symbolized by the acknowledgment by the young lady's side ten betel nuts. Marriage in Newar society is a social union of two families. The guardians' mastermind marriage for their children and girls. After the lucky man's and lady of the hour's family's choice, the marriage is affirmed by giving 10 betel nuts alongside organic products, desserts, and so on (known as lakha) from lucky man's family to the lady.

      A wedding service is performed at the time booked by the celestial prophet. Swayamber, Honkegu, Chipa Theeke (image of sharing everything) is performed. Lady of the hour presents 10 betel nuts to all her relatives. Sibling of her mom, paju, tackles his back and does her of the house. He then displays her to the man of the hour's family. The lady's family visits the husband to be home on the fourth day, to perceive how the lady of the hour is being dealt with, which is known as Khwah soyegu (seeing the lady of the hour's face).

4. Janko (Vhim Rathrohan)

Grandfather in Ratha (a type of cart) for Janko

The old-age ceremony is typical Sanskar. It is called Bura-Buri Janko. This Janko is held thrice in the life of an individual if the individual concerned lives unto the stipulated age when the last Janko is to be held at 99 years old years, nine months, nine days, nine palas and nine ghadis. This last Janko is assigned as Swarga –Ratha-Rohan, joining the dwelling place divine beings. The principal Burha Janko is held at 77 years old years, seven months, seven days, seven palas, and seven ghadis. It is calling Bhima-Ratha-Rohan. These phases of festivity of maturity denote the section of a person from one phase of hallowedness to the increasingly elevated phases of holiness, in the last and just about accomplishing status of a heavenly nature. Jyah janko is a seniority function to stamp one's life span. Jyah janko is an old age ceremony to mark one's longevity. It is celebrated for five times.
First-At the attainment of 77 years, 7 months, 7 days (Bhimratharohan)
Second-At the attainment of 83 years, 4 months, 4 days (Chadraratharohan)
Third-At the attainment of 88 years, 8 months, 8 days (Devaratharohan)
Fourth-At the attainment of 99 years, 9 months, 9 days (Divyaratharohan)
Fifth-At the attainment of 105 years, 8 months, 8 days (Mahadivyaratharohan)
5. Sithan (Death Sacrament)

Death rituals

Death is not only a biological process but also a social process. The ceremony relating to dying and subsequent cremation is considered the last of the Samskaras. A dying man is brought to the ground floor (chhedi) or taken to a nearby river, preferably to Aryaghat, and placed on the ground with his head facing the south. Phukees and other relatives are informed. The Sanaguthi members having arrived, arrangements are made to take the dead body to the cremation ground in a well-organized funeral procession at which music is provided by functional castes. On the 4th day, the ceremony of lakcha takes place when the married daughters of the house make a formal condolence call. The 7th-day ritual is called Nhye- Numa. In this married daughters of the house after food to the soul of the dead.
On the 12th day, another shraddha is performed and Pindas are offered to the Sapindas. It is believed that this is the time when the soul which is in the form of a preta changes its form and enters the world of the pitrus.
As soon as a person dies, all the Guthi (social organization) members are informed. Four lamps are set around the four directions of the corpse. Mha gele, adoration of the corpse is marked. The funeral procession is accompanied by Nayahkhin drum followed by a lot of people wailing and crying. Cremation is different in different castes.