Category: Ritual
Bahra: Marking the Coming-of-Age (Part 2)
Bahra: Marking the Coming-of-Age (Part 1)
More Pictures from Khokana Mahotsav 2011
Photo: Sanjay Dangol, Khokana Continue reading More Pictures from Khokana Mahotsav 2011
Ghyah-Chāku Salhu (Māgha Sankrānti)
Ghyah-Chāku Salhu (Nepali: माघ संक्रान्ति [/ģĥjɔ-ʧɑkʊ. sɜlhʊ/] Nepal Bhasa: घ्यो-चाकु सल्हु) is celebrated on the first of Māgha (mid-January). In Nepal Bhāsā, Salhu typifies the first day of month, and what make the beginning of this month so special than other months every year are the festivity part as well as the marking of warmer weather – the gradual increase in the length of day and shortness in night. The day also marks the shift of the sun into Makara rāshi (Capricorn) on its astronomic path. So, it is also known as Makara Sankrānti.
The sun is believed to move apparently in the northernmost extremes leaving the southernmost extremes on this day. This is referred as Uttarāyanā, the excursion of the sun to the northward region from Dakshināyanā, southward region. Uttarāyanā is also called as Devayanā, and the Dakshināyanā’ is called Pitrāyanā. This is why, Makara Sankrānti is considered as the beginning of the day of enlightenment, prosperity, and restoration of health. Continue reading “Ghyah-Chāku Salhu (Māgha Sankrānti)”
Bāhrā:
“Bāhrā: [/bɑ’hrɑ:/] or Bāhrā Tayegu [/t3’ye’gú/]” in Newā: (Nepal Bhāsā) language literally means “to mark the age of puberty.” Sometimes it is referred to as “to make menstruation come out.” This custom is carried out after Ihi – a ritual follows through when a girl turns the odd age of 5, 7, 9, or 11. In Ihi, the girl is being married to a Bel (Aegle … Continue reading Bāhrā:
Kayatāpujā (कयता पुजा)
Kayatā-pujā (Nepali: कयता-पुजा [/kə’je’tɑ/; /pυdzɑ/]; Nepal Bhāsā: कयता-पुजा) a compound noun literally means “worshiping loincloth.” It is a ritual ceremony to mark the acquisition of male puberty. Boys are considered to be reaching their puberty at the age of 12 in Newāh traditions. The ceremony is carried out by Guvāju, a Newā: priest. During the ceremony, the one who is marked as reaching to puberty has to … Continue reading Kayatāpujā (कयता पुजा)