Skip to main content

Nhu Daya Vintuna (New year)


Newars marking New Year resolution in Tihar 


 

On the fourth day of Tihar, both Mha puja and New Year day is commemorated as per Nepal sambat calendar. Most of the Nepalese mark their New Year resolution on 1st Baisakh of Vikram Sambat calendar. So,this New Year of Nepal Sambat virtue is an extraordinary celebration among Newars.

Newar community has their own calendar, famously known as Nepal Sambat. Nepal Sambat started of its career on 20th October 879 A.D. but it was soon officially disapproved at the beginning of 20th century. History has saved appearance of Nepal Sambat in old coins, inscription plates, doctrines, chronicles, royal decrees and Manuscripts.This year 2016/17 corresponds to 1138 in Nepal Sambat calendar. Initially, Nepalese traders used to close down their ledger and open up new fiscal account on this day.

Tales behind New Year celebration

 

An astrologer of king of Bhaktapur calculated an auspicious time and date for the accumulation of gold, when the sand swept down to the junction of two rivers-Bhacha khusi and Bishnumati River. King sent a team of porters to dig up sand and hunt down for gold.
A local merchant, Shankhadhar Sakhwa saw a bunch of porters resting on traveler’s shelter, near Maru. He also noticed a basket full of sand and a brink of thought arose around his mind that there is something special in sand. They were taking rest before heading to Bhaktapur. He talked the porters into dumping their load at his home, convincing them that they could always get more.

How is it celebrated?

 

Newar commemorate New Year day by celebrating Mha Puja during afternoon or evening time and cultural processions, rallies and parade in local places. People wear typical Newari uniform Haku Patasi, Suruwa and Tapalan in order to indulge in rallies, parade and cultural procession accompanied by Newari Dhun.

Markets, streets and Durbar Square are decorated by banners, which relay the wishful messages of New Year ( Nhu Daya Vintuna). Public functions are organized with the participation of government leader. Prime minister Babu Ram Bhattrai gave his speech in Nepal Bhasa during 2011. It was the first time in history, marking a traditional breakthrough of Nepal Bhasa (Newari language)
Newar communities convey New Year wishes to one another and vow on admiring good deeds resolution on the upcoming year.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lakhey

Lākhey ( Nepal Bhasa : लाखे, lā-khé) (alternative spellings Lākhe , Lākhay , लाखय्) is a demon in Nepalese folklore. He is depicted with a ferocious face, protruding fangs and mane of red or black hair. Lakhes figure prominently in traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala . The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal . Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople. A female Lakhe is known as Lasin (लसिं). Dancing Lakhes Lakhey Dance is one of the most popular dances of Nepal. Performers wearing a Lakhe costume and mask perform dances on the streets and city squares during festivals. The mask is made of papier-mâché and yak tails are used for the hair. The Lakhe dance is characterised by wild movements and thumping music. The most famous Lakhe is Majipa Lakhey of Kathmandu who appears during the Yenya (Indra Jatra) festival in September. [
Post a Comment
Read more

Buṅga Dyaḥ Jātrā (Rato Machindranath Jatra)

Buṅga Dyaḥ Jātrā ( Nepal Bhasa : बुंग द्यः जात्रा ) is a chariot procession honoring the Buddhist deity of compassion Avalokiteśvara held in Lalitpur , Nepal . The name Rato Machhindranath means ‘ Red Fish God’ . Rato as in red, Machhindra or Matsyendra means fish and Nath means god, even the statue of the deity is red in color. The legends behind Rato Machhindranath (also known by the names of Karunamaya and Bunga Dyah ) are so many that is hard for me to say which one is the real one. Maybe that’s why they are called legends. All legends are not contradicting to each other. It’s just that they are like different versions of the same story told by different people in their own set of values and beliefs. Most of the time the names and characters differ but the story is the same of a drought in the valley for which to end people seek out the help of Rato Machhindranath . Buṅga Dyaḥ is also known as Raktalokitesvara Karunamaya and Rāto Machhindranāth and is revered as
Post a Comment
Read more