|
Sweta Machhendranath Snan
Sweta (white) Machhendranath enjoys a week-long festival in
which he is bathed, Oiled perfumed and painted. The Goddess
Kumari visits him at his elaborate temple near Asan Tole. If he
is pleased by the music offerings, and attentions of his
divotees the people of the Valley can look forward to
satisfactory rainfall in the planting season.
Swasthani Puja
Goddess Swasthani's three eyes burn like the sun. She is the
ultimate gift grantor if insulted she can make life miserable.
By worshipping Swasthani Parbati attained Lord Shiva as her
husband. In the worship rites of Goddess Swasthani outlined by
Parbati the Swasthani scripture is read every evening for a
month. Worshipping Swasthani will bring together parted
relations remove curses and result in limitless gifts.
Maghe
Sankranti
In the holy month of Magh (Jan-Feb) the sun enters the southern
hemisphere and the days begin to grow longer and warmer. Lord
Vishnu the Preserver is thanked for his efforts. On Maghe
Sankranti (the first day of Magh) people take an early morning
bath in a holy river visit the shrines of Vishnu and present
flowers incense and food to him. They read the Bhagwad Gita also
known as The songs of the Gods rub mustard oil over their bodies
and enjoy feasts of rice cooked with lentils yams or taruls - a
must - and laddu wheets made of sesame and sugarcane paste.
Basanta Panchami and Saraswati Puja
Basanta or spring ushers in the loveliest time of the year.
Crowds gather at Kathmandu's Durbar Square while His Majesty the
King and other dignitaries welcome the season as a band plays
the traditional sonf og spring. A different celebration occurs
at Swayambhu and at the Nil Barahi Shrine near Lazimpat.
Saraswati the goddess of learning arts and crafts is worshiped
at her temples. Artists, Musicians, Teachers, and students bring
floers, unbroken rice and other gifts to please her. |
