करिव १०० वर्ष भन्दा अगाडि पाटनकै होनचामा बसोबास गर्ने परिवार पाटन दरवार नजिकै आएर बसोबास गर्न थाले । सबैले होनचा या पिं भन्न थाले । उनिहरुका बालबच्चालाई होनचा या मस्त भन्न थाले । कालान्तरमा तिनीहरुको परिचय नै होनचा हुन पुग्यो ।९० सालको भूकम्प भन्दा केही अगाडि रोजीरोटीका लागि सानो खाजा घर जस्तै खोले । ९०…
Local residents of Khokana are busy celebrating Sikali (Jatra) festival at a time when people across the country are marking the Hindu’s greatest festival, Dashain. This year, as many as 14 gods and goddesses will be worshiped and various traditional dance performances will be exhibited. The jatra will be celebrated for five days by inviting…
This is a symbolic ritual marriage with a fruit bel (byah), Lord Vishnu’s symbol. Held at the age of 5-11, this ceremony is performed to avoid widowhood. The Newar girls are never widowed as they are married to the immortal god. The girls are also being trained in Ihi family works.
Bel Bibaha or Ehee is a ceremony in Newari community of Nepal in which pre-adolescent girls are married to the Bel (fruit of wood apple tree) fruit. The fruit is bridegroom that symbolizes the eternal bachelor Lord Kumar, the son of Lord Shiva, and the marriage ensures that the girl becomes and remains fertile. The…
English Nepal Bhasa Good Morning/afternoon/evening/night Jwa-ja-la-paa What Chuu This Thwa That Wa Yes Khah No Ma-khu What Chuu When Ga- ba-le Where Ga-na Which Gu-gu(goo) Who Su(soo) Why Su-yaa Whose Su-yaa Whom Gu-mha How(in what way) Ga-the (-the as in theft) How (to what degree) Gu-li Best Wishes Bhin-tu-naa Welcome La-sa-ku-sa Thank you Su-bhaay Left…
Swanti or tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal, of course after the Dashain. Due to the lack of ness on speaking the mother tongue, even newar people don’t use this term of the tihar festival. Yes, swanti is the newari name of the brightest festival of Nepal, which is tihar. This five days…
Bendix, Edward H. 1974. “Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman Contact. As seen through Nepali and Newari Verb Tenses.” Franklin C. Southworth & Mahadev L. Apte (eds.): Contact and Convergence in South Asian Languages. (= International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics 3/1, special issue). Kariyavattom, Trivandrum, India: Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala. 42-59 Bendix, Edward H. 1984. “The…
Indra is Rain’s Lord and Heaven’s King. It’s the procession of Jatra. Indra Jatra is God Indra’s Day festival. Indra Jatra is the Kathmandu festival, Nepal’s capital. Some people believe that Indra Jatra thanks Lord Indra for the rain day. The festival is celebrated in honor of Bahirab, who is the manifestation of Shiva and…
Welcome to Khokana, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. This traditional Newari village boasts a unique way of life and cultural heritage that has stood the test of time. In this blog article, we will take you on a virtual journey through the narrow alleys, picturesque architecture, and…
Nepal is a diverse country with around 125 different ethnic groups and 123 different languages. Before I arrived, I assumed everyone was Nepali and spoke Nepalese. While that is kind of true, there are a variety of different ethnic groups. Further, among each ethnic group there are subgroups. I’ve been lucky enough to make friends…
Sakina Maharjan was crowned ‘Miss Newa: Nepal’ in a stunning display of elegance and cultural heritage. This prestigious beauty pageant, dedicated to celebrating the grace and traditions of the Newar community, was organized by Nepali’s Fashion Home and culminated in a triumphant finale at Nepal Pragya Pratishthan in Kamaladi. Sakina Maharjan’s enchanting presence and charisma…
Nag Panchami is the Nag-snake festival to worship. The snakes are frightening reptiles as some of them are toxic. The so-called Nag snakes are generally toxic cobra snakes. To be secure from the snakes, the festival is celebrated. Kathmandu’s individuals go to Lake Taudaha, Naagpokhari to worship the Naag. Naagdaha also regarded one of the…
Kirtipur is a wonderful exception to the usual settlements of Newari. Perched on twin hillocks and about 5 km from Kathmandu clinging to the saddle. To the south, Kirtipur has two hamlets of satellites, Panga and Nagaon. The village’s history dates back to the 12th century when it was a Patan outpost but became a…
Gathemangal is a festival held every year in the month of June / July on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi. Gathemangal or Ghantakarna Chaturdasi is a term co-relatively used for worshiping and offering sacrifices to demons as a festive. In the Newar group, Gathemangal is celebrated and observed in various areas of the Kathmandu Valley. There is…
Khokana is a stunning Newar town in Kathmandu, located in the south of the Kathmandu Valley. It is 25 minutes away from Bungamati town towards the west course. This Newar town is predominantly for the development of mustard seed and items like mustard oil. We can see a ton of rice terraces here. The lifestyle…
Kayatapuja or fixing of loin cloth is done to mark the attainment of puberty. Bajracharya and Shakyas perform the tonsure ceremony, Chudakarma. During this, one has to visit shrines and pay homage to Kwahpahdyoh and make offerings. After kayatapuja, Jyapus and Sayamis undergo Ohla (which is less practiced these days.)
Amidst a nationwide lockdown, Mahasana (bathing ceremony) Rato Machhindranth (Red Macchendranath) and Kumari Puja completed quietly in Patan. Although few people gathered there, they maintain social distancing. In a presence of few hundred devotees, who wore masks and maintained their social distancing, the festival begins reports Sulabh Shrestha in Deshsanchar. As per the ritual, priest…
Tucked away in a narrow alley in culturally and architecturally rich Patan area, these 100 years old Newari sweets shop ‘Shree Ghanashyam Mithai Bhandar’ and ‘Shree Nanda Mithai Bhandar’ are largely known to locals and regulars. Owned by two brothers, it is now the fourth generation who are running these sweets shops. These places look very…
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Nepal, Khokana Village stands as a remarkable testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Tucked away just a short distance from the bustling city of Kathmandu, this charming village offers a tranquil escape for travelers seeking an authentic experience off the beaten path. In this article,…
