Thecho Navadurga at Patan,Mulchowk Full Video

Navadurga Jatra in Lalitpur’s Thecho: After 12 years, local deities are reviving their energy for the next 12 years Navadurga Jatra in Lalitpur’s Thecho: After 12 years, local deities are reviving their energy for the next 12 years Thecho Navadurga Jatra It is only during the celebration of Navadurga Jatra every 12 years that the doors of the temple are closed for a month whereas it is open every other time. Photo: Bikash Dware The locals of Thecho in eastern Lalitpur are in a buoyant mood as they are currently celebrating a Navadurga Jatra, a community carnival that comes every 12 years. The elders of the Newa town are busy conducting various nitya pujas as a part of the carnival while children wait patiently for the feast. But, why are they celebrating? The locals of Thecho believe that the gods and goddesses in temples of Kathmandu valley, like humans, need to revive their energy. Barabarse Navadurga Jatra is one such occasion. After the celebration of Gathemuga on Ghantakarna Chaturdashi, Shree Navadurga Jatra has already begun in Thecho this year. Shree Navadurga Jatra in Thecho Thecho, a small yet historical town in Lalitpur, prides itself on its own unique identity full of cultural activities and rituals. Locals say Barabarse Shree Navadurga Jatra is a part of this. It lasts for eight months every 12 years and consists of 28 key celebrations. Thecho Navadurga Jatra Indrayani temple in Thecho. Photo: Bikash Dware Locals say this jatra (festival/carnival) holds a significant meaning to the devotees and the host of the festival. According to 62-year-old Surya Mali, also an advisor to Shree Navadurga Jatra Management Committee, Navadurga is a group of nine very powerful goddesses who fulfil any wishes of their devotees. The group is commonly referred to as Navadurga, one entity. Thecho Navadurga Jatra Surya Mali, an advisor to Shree Navadurga Jatra Management Committee. Photo: Bikash Dware “If one vows in front of this goddess for bali (sacrifice of animal or bird) for the fulfilment of their wish, their wishes have been granted. Moreover, there is a belief that anything belonging to the goddess should not be taken to home. Otherwise, that person has to face the goddess’s wrath.” So, this is the year when the old masks and costumes of Navadurga Dev Ganas are replaced with new ones, after completing the mandatory rituals. These Dev Ganas (literally, groups of gods) are the people who perform as gods and goddess during the festivities. Navadurga Dev Ganas play a major role in the festivities of Navadurga Jatra in Thecho. There are 13 Navadurga Dev Ganas — Bhairav, Kali, Barahi, Kumari, Ganesh, Mahadev, Singhini, Byangini, Shwet Bhairav, Brahmanyani, Mahalaxmi, Indrayani and Bishnudevi—who have to perform dances at various places around the Kathmandu valley. However, in Thecho goddess Indrayani’s dance is not performed. Then, for the upcoming 12 years, the Dev Ganas use the same masks and costumes during the annual festivities of Goddess Shree Navadurga during Dashain and Yomari Punhi. For the great festival every 12 years, a hut is built in front of the temple that symbolises Brindaban, which is believed to be Navadurga’s birthplace. Thecho Navadurga Jatra For the great festival every 12 years, a hut is built in front of the temple that symbolises Brindaban, which is believed to be Navadurga’s birthplace. Photo: Bikash Dware “In the hut, various tantric rituals are performed in the presence of guthiyars (community guthi members) during the jatra. Nobody outside the guthi is allowed to watch the rituals,” shares Gopal Mali, the main priest of the temple. Moreover, it is only during the celebration of Navadurga Jatra every 12 years that the doors of the temple are closed for a month whereas it is open every other time. The closure ended on August 26. A lot of rules Shree Navadurga of Thecho is believed to be one of the powerful goddesses and during the celebration of jatra, locals have to follow certain rules if they do not want to face the wrath of the powerful goddess. The locals here have been following the rules without any question since ancient days. Since July 26, the locals are prohibited from organising any auspicious rituals and feasts such as weddings and bratabandhas.