Laxmi Puja

Perhaps in no other festival. the Nepalese spend their hard earned money as liberally as for Laxmi Puja. Laxmi Puja means a very special day chosen for worshipping Laxmi. the goddess of wealth. Quite a long time before this auspicious day arrives, people start saving their earnings for the Puja. They buy so many kinds of Puja materials that it is just unbelielievable. One is tempted to think that there is nothing on the earth they like to leave for Laxmi. If any non-Hindu ever happens to see what the Hindus buy for Laxmi Puja they may naturally take the latter to be too crazy to spend so much money on the Puja materials alone. In order to find out how much time and money they spend for this one should go with them to see for oneself when they go for shopping. They spend more than half of this Laxrni Puja Day only for shopping. It is so true that one may even call this day a heavy shopping day. Why they do this becomes clear from the following.

 The Nepalese know very well that work is worship. They like to work and love to see Laxmi in Labour and Labour in Laxmi. Laxmi Puja is the perfect example of that aspiration common to the Nepalese society. As such the massive amount of Puja materials the Nepalese buy for Laxmi Puja. It does not necessarily mean that they want to show their status. It is an indicative of their sincere devotion to their duty or say, the symbolical of their aspiration for wealth or say enthusiasm to translate their toils and talents into the enjoyable treasures of desired fruits. Laxmi Puja thus is not for the lazy people. Instead, it is a day for enthusiastic labourers. Hence a religious labour day. Puja and Parishram (worship and work) can never be Separated from each other. No wages can be obtained without doing any work. In the same way. Puja. no matter how simple it is, can never be performed without Parishrama. Despite the fact that no wealth can be gained without work what could be more foolish for us than to perform the Puja of Laxmi without any Parishrama or devotion and aspire to be a rich man overnight! This reminds me of a very famous mythological story about the churning of the milky ocean. 

The churning of the ocean was a very ambitious project to carry out. It cost the entire energy of demons and deities both. Each of them had to work very hard. It was only by dint of their joint efforts that they became successful to discover the tremendous amount of jewels, elixirs, and many other invaluable medicinal herbs including the Beauty queen like Laxmi, the goddess of wealth from the ocean. Had the gods differed in opinion with demons when they were jointly working by putting their entire strength and soul on their super project, they would never have met with Laxmi- a divine success. All this tells us how devoted one Laxmi- a divine success. All this tells us how devoted one has to be to one's duty if one aspires for success. What I am trying to emphasize is that work does not have any class. If it has any, it is only the reflection of one's own dubious mind. Work is one as worship is one. That is why it always demands a deep devotion. As one cannot reach god without single-minded devotion, so one cannot work any better either without plunging oneself deep into it. When we look at every piece of work we do in this life, it won't take us long to understand the symbolical meaning of the churning of the ocean. The central theme of this story is designed simply to symbolize the strength and soul one needs to put in the project no matter how big or small it is, since one has already undertaken to work it out. Such is the significance of Laxmi Puja

. There is a very strong belief in Nepal that nobody should sit idle on this day. If one does, it is said that Laxmi won't enter his house even by mistake. So everybody in the family on this particular day is advised to keep himself busy doing something. This also reflects a lot into the significance of Laxmi Puja. Another interesting aspect of this festival is deanliness. Women in every family on this day get up very early in the morning and start cleaning the whole house. They all try every possible means to create the pleasant atmosphere so they can make themselves feel good and perform Puja rites to Laxmi and pray to her for prosperity and peace.

 There is an interesting story of how Laxmi Puja came into being. It goes this way: Once there was a king who was very proud of his wealth. He had three daughters. The youngest and most beautiful among them was named Deepa, who was very intelligent. One day the king called all the three of them in  his person and asked them if they could tell him what made his kingdom so prosperous. The elder ones took no time to answer his question rather in a very flattering style. They said that this was all because of their great father's wise rule and bravery. But Deepa with great sincerity simply said that this was all because of the grace of Heaven. At this, the king got so furious that he immediately banished her out into a far-flung forest. Surprizingly enough, ever since she left, a series of problems enveloped the country. It did not rain. Rivers and streams dried . Nothing grew the fields. The king was quite upset

. He could not do any thing. He was absolutely helpless. Lk' On the other side. poor Deepa. all alone in a dense dark , forest, kept praying to Laxmi to gain her grace. In no time • highly pleased with her devotion, Goddess Laxmi appeared . , to her and said that now she should go home to see every , going alright. again. To say the least, soon. after she .. home, it rained to great relief of everybody. Rivers and streams were filled with water. Crops came up rich and fresh. A kind of divine brightness spread out all over the country. It did not take the king long to understand that this dramatic change was all because of the great mercy of goddess Laxmi on Deepa. This put the king to a great shame. He could not stay relaed until he finally apologized to her daughter Deepa for his hollow pride and stupid desire for flattery. This made him feel relieved. Then the king affectionately asked Deepa to illuminate the entire shrine of goddess Laxmi with oil lamps. This was the dawn of Deepavali, the festival of lights.

 

Deepawali

One of the most enjoyable festivals next to Dasain is Deepavali which means the festival of lights. This festival also known as Tihar is celebrated every year throughout the kingdom with great pomp and grandeur. The celebration of this festival generally begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight (Kartik-Oct.) and goes on until the second day of the bright fortnight. That is to say, this festival is celebrated continuously for five days. Because of this unbroken chain of celebration, it is known by the name of Panchak which means five day long. We may also call it the festival of nights. Because the first thing that comes to our sight when we think of Deepavali is the dark evening. Actually speaking we can hardly get any feeling of festivity until the evening, comes up. In other words, we cannot derive any delight from the lights alone without the arrival of night.

. Though this festival has many fascinating features, the most magnificent one amongst them is the decoration of the door-ways and windows with majestic marigolds and oil lamps every evening during the entire period of celebration. The making of the lamps in the very beginning of the festive evening has a spiritual significance. It represents the aspiration for enlightenment or knowledge where as darkness stands for utter ignorance. The entire illumination work is indicative of intention to conquer Avidya (dense darkness) by means of Vidya (brilliant light). In other words, this symbolizes liberation from ignorance for self-realization. In order to make it a little more clear, story from Hindu mythology may be referred to.

 Once there broke out a war between demons and deities. Narkasura. the head of the demons, fought furiously for his fame until he won the war. Puffed up with victory, the head demon designed himself as the overlord of the worlds. Cruel and corrupted as he was, he also started insulting th, innocent wives of defeated gods. This was a big shock to their helpless husbands. It was his command and wish that anything considered excellent from the materials down to any means of sensual pleasure be immediately offered for his honourable service. It is said that his slaves under his command were able to bring altogether 16000 princesses with blooming beauty and flaming youth for his fun. They were all kept under his cruel control

. It is. however, interesting to note that the four giant sentinels with five heads stationed by him in four different directions to safeguard his frontiers had all been killed by Lord Krishna. They were known as Mura. Hayagriva, Nishumbha and Panchajanya. They were always up to put people in trouble for no fault of their own.

Narkasura was none other than a frightening figure oi tyranny. It is said that a mention of his name alone w enough to scare the innocent people to death. People were so afraid of him that they didn't even dare to light up their houses in the evenings for the fear that he might get them for his grind if their houses were lit up. According to this Puranic story, the celebration of this festival came into . practice from the very day. Lord Krishna killed Narkasura. 

 The fore-mentioned sentinels are also none other than the symbolical figures of four big enemies of mankind such as Kama (lust). Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed) and Moha (attachment). And the five-headed guards are the symbolical figures of five basic senses of human beings. To pick up the main theme of the story, it must be remembered that man can never reach the stage of self-realisation until he is capable enough to keep himself detached from all those four enemies (human demerits) mentioned above and at the same time control all five senses that are so restless by nature. This is to say that if we allow ourselves to go too free all the time, they simply won't leave us without ruining our original wisdom, which is the only supreme guide for our self-realization. Human mind without self-restraint, is like a five-headed demon Mura who got killed by Krishna.

 From all this, it appears clear that Deepavali is certainly a great festival of spiritual significance- which every year comes to give us a lesson on love for light and spiritual height.

 As we celebrate Deepavali, let us not forget that despite every home seems illuminating with festive lamps, there is still another darkness of poverty and ignorance hanging around in our country. We have got to do. away with all those demonic problems too, which are standing on our way to progress and prosperity. 

Raato Macchendranath Rath Jatra

Macchendranath, 'Lord of the Fishes,'now bathed and re-painted arrives in Pulchowk where his lavish ratha (chariot) awaits every spring. The mighty `Kaskot Raja', the serpent god has come along too and is looking over the throne, from above the beams while four powerful and terrifying Bhairab spirits sit on the wheels to frighten the evil away. This name of this crimson faced deity, Macchendranath comes from the word, Maacha meaning fish and is adored by both Hindus and Buddhists alike. With more names than nature's seasonal cycles, Bungadeo, Karunamaya, Bodhisatwa, Avalokiteshwara are just a few names for this beloved god of rain, harvest and compassion.

Tens of thousands come to see their benevolent deity on a moonlit April fortnight. The streets resonate with the cheers of the devotees: the constant music of Dhimey - drum and Bhusya is both diabolical and spiritual as the ratha now journeys down to the streets of Patan from Pulchowk. People crowd to the chariot's nightly resting place with offerings while locals engage in traditional music, dance and feasts.

The grand finale of this procession is the Bhoto Jatra. in which. Macchendranath's symbolic and sacred bhoto (vest) is displayed at Jawlakhel. The Kumari of Patan is invited to witness this celebration and the event is always followed by rain. so is believed. Please bring along your umbrellas/raincoats to witness the occasion.

Naba Barsha (Nepali New Year) & Bisket Jatra

Nepali New Year is the only festival that does not follow the traditional Bhittay Paatro (Nepali lunar calendar). 'Bisket Jatra', Bhaktapur's unique contribution to the valley's festival cycle marks the ancient solar Nato Barsha (New Year) instead. The most spectacular of all celebrations takes place in Bhadgaon in Bhaktapur - the ancient city of the Naga Malta kings and attracts many tourists.

People, gods, demons and beings, all are invited to witness and be part of this vibrant celebration. Banners and beams, a huge tug of war between the eastern and western sides of town (the winning side is charged with looking after the images of god during the riverside sojourn), chariot action, ancient re-indictments and blood sacrifices are just some of the features of this 10-day mayhem, which commences the official Naba Barsha,

Nepali New Year Bikram Sambat (B.S.) is said to have been founded by semi-legendary king, Bikramditya in 57A0. It's the official Nepali year (we have other new years too) that combines with the 10-day local festival, Bisket Images of Bhairab and the goddess Bhadra.kati are enshrined in chariots and hauled about and s25 metre high 'victory pole' is hoisted upright in an open field on New Year's eve and then sent crashing down, driving away evil spirits and officially marking the New Year the following evening.

The following day, nearby Thimi. Bal Kumari Jatra instituted by King Jagat Jyoti Malla in the early 1600s is observed. Bal Kuman is another of Bhairab's consorts

. The next morning, representatives (men) from various toles (quarters) of Thimi and from surrouding villages come with a procession of 32 palanquins called khats with images of different gods. 

As the 32 khats whirl around the temple sindoor (vermillion) powder is hurled at them and the ceremony reaches fever pitch as the khat bearing Ganesha arrives from the village of Nagadish. 

Crowds parade up and down the streets until late morning when Ganesha, borne by hundreds of men, makes a break for home, pursued by other khats. If the latter can catch Ganesha the activities are prolonged but eventually Ganesha departs and the festival moves on to Taleiu temple. 

.ater in the day, crowds swarm to Bode to see the bizarre tongue-piercing ritual, in which priests pierce the tongue of a volunteer with large steel needles, an act of penitence said to earn great merit and to leave the pure unharmed. Another khat festival with 7 khats take place here. 

MataTirtha Snan

According to one of the legends, a cowherd whose mother had passed away became so depressed that he often sat by a pond, missing her and hoping to get a glimpse of his beloved mother On Mother's day, her face appeared on the glassy surface of the water and consoled him. This spot is called Mats Tirtha (six miles south-west of central Kathmandu, just off the Thankot road) and today. many throng here hoping to see their departed mother's face and to pray for her soul.

In earlier times, many used to visit the site and spend the night with songs, prayers and lights. Today, most households are still festive and bustling in preparation of all kinds of special treats for the mothers. Others visit their married daughters to 'look upon their lace', and take her back to her family home where she celebrates the day cooking and re-uniting with other females in the family

Sithinakha or Kumar Sasthi

Born from the radiant eye of Lord Shiva, Kumar or Sithi is the eternal child of divine love and light. Sithinakha is known as Kumar's birthday and falls on the bright fortnight of Astha's Also known as Kartikeya, Kumar has six heads that represent all the six senses. It can be seen above the entrance of many traditional Nepali homes as a red circle on the ground with a lotus of six petals inside.

Sithi is the 6'" day while nakha refers to celebration. Historical chronicles tell us how the citizens of Bhaktapur were responsible for cleaning and maintaining town walls, wells and moats and anyone who failed to complete the task by Sithinakha day was duly punished. Newars, still to this today. conclude their dewali (worship of ancestral deity) and clean the local wells.

The festival also marks the beginning of rice-shoot planting time.

Adinath Jatra

Also known as Awandati Lokeshwara, it is one of the four Lokeshwara temples, situated at Adinath Hill, west of Chobhar gorge. Very sacred to the Newars, Adinath is said to be an incarnation of Manjushree who cut a gorge that submerged a mass of land that later became, Kathmandu. On the first day of bright Chaitra. the Vajracharya Priest of Patan removes the life spirit from the deity while the other priests place a smaller image in a khat (Palanquin) and carry it down to Nakhu for a ceremonial birth.

For the next few days. Adinath Lokeshwora awaits with eyes heavenwards. as few chosen ones ritually cleanse him and re-paint his face. On the 7th day, this deity is locked up in a tiny, airless room where he undergoes a curious ritual - gupha- a puberty ritual of a Newar girl. Next day,the priests come to fetch the deity from the room and is carried back to the Adinath hill in the evening. The mysterious resurrection rites continue 

Buddha Jayanti

Activities begin quite early in almost all major shrines and stupas on Buddha's Birthday in the full moon of Baisakh. The focal point of this extremely popular festival is the Swayambhunath (the self risen one) hill, which enshrines the largest of all Buddhist shrines; the lotus shaped Stupa. Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from all over the globe come to pay homage to the 'self existent one'.

Many march through the streets of Kathmandu. Patan and Bhaktapur with images of the Buddha. Temples and hilttops are decked up gaily with prayer flags, flowers, lights, festoons and amazing ancient tapestry. 

A giant statue of Buddha is displayed along with hundreds of other Buddhist images. Fasting devotees make offenngs of food, flowers, coins and incense while yellow robed monks perform ceremonies with chants, prayers and dances. P-iceless old paintings, stamp collection and numerous other items are displayed on the walls all day and concludes with special performances by costumed dancers and ancient rites in major bahals.

Sundarijal

The VDC was named after the Hindu goddess, Sundarimai. A temple is dedicated to the deity in Sundarijal.
In 1960, the Sundarijal Military Detention Camp was the location of Nepali Congress leaders B.P. Koirala (the Prime Minister), Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Diwan Singh Rai, Ram Narayan Mishra, Yogendra Man Sherchan, and Jaman Singh Gurung. They were held without trial for eight years due to their part

Geographical situation

Sundarijal is located 15 kilometres (9 mi) northeast of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. It is west of Gagalphedi, east of Nayapati and Baluwa, and north of Aalapot. The VDC touches Nuwakot and Sindhulpalchok Districts to the north.

Sundarijal covers an area of 5.18 square kilometres (2 sq mi). The Bagmati River flows through the VDC, where it is joined by the Shyalmati and Nagmati Rivers. Largely hilly in its terrain with few flat areas, the VDC is covered by forests. Shivapuri National Park covers large amounts of the Sundarijal.[icipation in a 1960 coup.

Chisapani

Chisapani is a village in Banke District in the Bheri Zone of south-western Nepal, not to be confused with Chisapani in the banks of Karnali river. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2,862 and had 526 houses in the village.

Sundarijal Chisapani hiking is best and renowned among hikers. It’s the hike route near Kathamndu valley which presents spectacular Himalayan panorama with traditional culture lifestyle as well as flora and fauna. North-east from central Kathmandu it starts from Sundarijal needs half an hour car drive. Purport of Sundarijal is gorgeous for water resources, and it’s the main source of drinking water for Kathmandu Valley. Also have years old electricity production division.