The Jya:Punhi: Panauti Jatra

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Nepal is a country with an incredibly diverse culture, and festivals are an important part of its heritage. From colorful religious celebration to unique local cuisine, there are numerous opportunities for tourists to experience the cultural diversity of Nepal. From the ancient Hindu festivals of Maha Shivaratri and Dashain to the Buddhist festival of Losar, every year brings the celebration for locals and tourists alike. Lets get to know more about “Jya:Punhi” popularly known as “Panauti Jatra”.

Panauti is a small Newari town situated 32 km from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This small beautiful town holds great importance since it is home to centuries-old traditions, culture, and architecture. Panauti, situated at the confluence of the rivers Punyamati and Roshi, has been regarded as one of the important religious sites for centuries in Nepal. More than twenty festivals are celebrated in Panauti each year and each has its own significance. Among them is the three-day long Jya:Punhi or the Panauti Jatra. 

Although the actual procession in the Jatra lasts for three days, the locals prepare and welcome the Jatra eight days earlier. The preparation begins from the day of “Sithi Nakha”. Newars celebrate Sithi Nakha, a festival where family members from all walks of life come together to worship their “Kuldevta” (a family’s ancestral deity) and feast together.

Starting from Sithi Nakha, the locals in Panauti gather every morning and go around the town in groups singing and chanting the names of the gods. During the day, the locals perform necessary preparations by cleaning the town, putting up decorations, and making chariots for the gods. 

The ninth day of “Sithi Nakha” marks the first day of Panauti Jatra. On the first day of Panauti Jatra, devotees take out goddess Bhadrakali from her temple and send her to the temple of Brahmaini, which is said to be her paternal home. On the second day, people worship all the gods and goddesses around the town and host feasts in their homes.

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The third day is the grand one, on this day the chariots of the three gods Mahadev (lord Shiva), Bhairab (Manifestation of lord Shiva), and Bhadrakali are collided. The chariots of Mahadev and Bhairab are dashed against the chariot of Bhadrakali. The chariots are collided to represent the mating of the gods and has an amusing lore behind it.

During the Jatra people visit temples around town and perform many religious ceremonies in their home. Later they gather at the ground of Layaku Darbar to celebrate the Jatra. Young men lift the chariots of the god and take it around the town and collide the chariots as a ceremony. They throw Sindur ( Vermilion powder ) on one another giving another name to this festival “The Sindur Jatra”.

For the Newari people and others residing in the town, the Jatra holds significance beyond mere ceremonies or rituals—it is a manifestation of faith. According to the mythology of the Panauti Jatra, a fascinating phenomenon occurs each year. It is believed that during the Jatra, a thunderstorm accompanied by rain takes place, symbolizing the homecoming of “Basukhi Naag”. Remarkably, even if the day is initially sunny and clear, it miraculously rains with a display of thunder and strong winds.

Bhadrakali is a fearsome form of the goddess Parvati. One day, Parvati became furious with Mahadev (her husband) due to displeasure with his behavior. So she started chasing Mahadev. Mahadev ran toward the Punyamati river and hid under the water. He came out taking the avatar of Bhairab, the formidable form of Mahadev, and started chasing Bhadrakali.

Bhadrakali fell in front of the Layaku Darbar. Then Bhairab and Bhadrakali performed sacred sexual relationship three times. Again Bhairab changed himself into Mahadev and performed intercourse three times with Bhadrakali. In today’s time, the colliding of the chariots represents the intercourse between the god and goddess. 

In addition to the mythology of the Panauti Jatra, various other tales surrounding the festival hold significant meaning. Among these is a popular belief that highlights the festival’s importance for farmers. According to this myth, people celebrate the Jatra with the purpose of invoking heavy rainfall, which is vital for successful rice plantation.

This myth underscores the deep connection between the festival and the agricultural community, emphasizing the crucial role that the Jatra plays in their livelihoods. It serves as a powerful reminder of the interdependence between nature and human endeavors, as farmers rely on the bounties of the land and the support of divine forces to ensure a prosperous harvest.

What to Expect During Jatra

The Panauti Jatra provides tourists a unique opportunity to dive deep into the ancient Newari culture. As a tourist, you can soak in the joyful ambiance of the town and be a part of lively celebrations with locals.  If you are planning to observe the Panauti Jatra, mark your calendar from 2nd of June to the 4th of June. 

On the main day of the Jatra, all the local businesses in Panauti are closed. The center gets super busy. You will see chaos and crowd but all of it perfectly falls on the right path. You will be able to observe the Jatra closely with the locals and see many small engrossing ceremonies.

There will be lots of small kiosks around the street to check out. If you have a local host or friend you can get much more information about the Jatra. You can also try the delicious Newari food.

Believers consider Panauti a holy town where one’s wishes come true when they pray with a pure heart. Make sure you visit Panauti to attend this Jatra on Jestha Shukla Purnima on the 4^th of June, and celebrate Jatra with the locals of Panauti.

 

Thank you kajal Aryal

 

Ropai Festival in Nepal

 

Rice Planting Festival – June

The Rice Planting Festival holds immense significance for Nepalese farmers as they commemorate the day new rice seedlings are planted. Join the locals in the fields, where you can partake in lively activities in the mud and water, experience the joy of planting rice, and savour the delicious combination of rice and yoghurt. One of the most poignant festivals in Nepal, the celebrations are accompanied by traditional songs, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.

The month of Jestha/Asar, which is the beginning of the monsoon season, holds great significance for the Nepali farmers. It’s that time of the year when the hills and fields in Nepal, are covered with green paddy saplings. The air feels a lot fresher, with chunks of clouds making their way past the steep hills. It feels like nature is taking in a breath of fresh air, reciprocating the same feeling to the ones watching it as well. It’s that time of the year when farmers carry their plowing tools and head to the fields for rice plantation. To indicate the beginning of the rice plantation, they celebrate the Ropai Festival.

The locals consume rice as a staple food on a daily basis. Annually, to commemorate the planting of rice seedlings, the Ropai Festival is celebrated on Asar 15 (June–July). The period occurs during the middle of the monsoon and is one of the busiest season for farmers as they prepare their fields to plant rice. On this day, most farmers finish planting rice in their fields. This day is also widely popular as ‘Dahi Chiura Khaney Din.’

The Ropai Festival is also called ‘Ropai Jatra,’ in some communities, it is known as ‘Sina Jya Jatra’ (Newari) or ‘Chopai Jatra’ (midwest and far western Nepal). Over the years, this festival has been slowly gaining popularity among local and international tourists. It’s a great opportunity for travelers to mingle with the local community members and plant rice seedlings in the fields. In addition to that, they can also celebrate the end of the plantation by singing and dancing in the mud along with playing different games.

The History behind the Celebrations of Ropai Festival in Nepal

According to Lunar Calendar (Patro), the Ropai Jatra was first introduced in Nepal by Gajraj Singh Thapa – the Colonel of the Nepal Army during the Rana regime and the governor of Ilam, in 1972 BS (1915 AD). Since then, different communities in various parts of Nepal celebrate this festival on different days, following their own customs and traditions. Nowadays, there’s a popular belief that the owner of the paddy field should throw themselves in the mud of their field, according to a hilarious belief that makes the owner feel closer to their roots and soil.

Celebrating Ropai Festival

This festival is celebrated across the country with the belief of bringing a good harvest. Families and community members come together and head to the fields to begin the plantation. Both men and women plow the field and plant the seedlings simultaneously. Apart from the hard work, people assemble to sing and dance, engage in mud battles, sing songs of pleasure and sadness, and slap muddy water at one another while in the fields.

Following the mud bouts, they indulge in a delectable yogurt and flattened rice dish called Dahi Chiura. Today, various fruits and handmade beverages are served with this traditional lunch. In the end, farmers also revere their land in the hopes of reaping a bountiful crop later during the harvesting season. 

People still plant rice traditionally out of reverence for the past, even though ancient agricultural systems have been replaced by contemporary ones.

Where is the Ropai Festival Happening?

The celebration of rice plantations is common in most parts of rural Nepal since agriculture is a common profession for most residents. One can even participate in the festival by visiting the fields at Khokana, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur if they’re in Kathmandu.

There are many travel entities that are trying to promote the Ropai experience as a part of the authentic Nepali experience. Community Homestay Network offers its guests an authentic and immersive experience of paddy plantation through their festive experience – Ropain Festival.

How can I Participate in the Ropai Festival?

Since the Ropai Festival is a seasonal event, the locals usually celebrate the festival during the monsoon season in Asar 15. However, other communities are open to welcoming guests to participate in this cultural experience too. 

Community Homestay Network allows their guests to partake in the Ropai Festival experience during the month of Asar. The event will occur near the capital city in Kirtipur and Nagarkot. Guests participating in the Ropai Festival will also get the chance to learn more about the local cultures. Additionally, they can stay at a local homestay and dine with their host family to end the day on a sweet note.

Thank you Rubik Joshi and CHN team