Swayambhu

Apparently a day off, not from work but hospital; a laid back day and didnt do anything the whole day. An evening tea on the dining table with moms ( mom & aunty) and cousin and we decided to go out. Apparently, we chose Swayambhu for its lights and glory at night. Well, Anju was ready to join us too with her unfinished work. As usual, I had to wash my face and so did my cousin.  Yeap, runs in the family. 

There was not much of a traffic on the way. If you live in Nepal or have been to Nepal, you know how troublesome it is to travel. Glad, the road took us all the way up to the hill, moms wouldnt be able to walk otherwise. At the entrance mom handed me some coins to throw in the wishing pond. The target was a medium size pot in the centre of the pond. Mom did it at once, for us was a struggle. It wasnt that easy as it looked and I wasted coins, didnt do the count though. 

Up the stairs and we found people with long lenses and tripods capturing the beautiful view of the city. Most of them were tourists I guess. I started taking photos while others were busy buying candles. One of the vendors nearby hello-ed me and showed me a gesture. Apparently, I was a tourist for her for she saw camera on my hand. Praying with candles with monkeys around was a bit tricky. I didnt want to close my eyes for long since there's a possibility of monkeys snatching whatever you have in your hand. They almost had us when my aunty stepped her foot onto one of them. They attacked in a group and in an instance.  I could do nothing but scream for I was a distance apart, with camera on my hand.  I could see one of the biggest monkeys hanging onto my mom's kurta, couple on aunty's and others running randomly from all the corners circling moms, Sagar and Anju. Glad, there were other people around, helping to get away. This didn't want us to stay for long for there were moneys everywhere and we were more cautious this time to move around. Anyway, the night was beautiful so was the place. It was a bit chilly on the top but the lights and the vibe was just as awesome. I didnt want to leave considering if there were no harmful and WWF champions 'chimpus' around.

Bhai Tika

This is the  final day and is the most important of Yamapanchak/Tihar festival. On this day, sisters pray for their  brothers' longevity and prosperity offering them various delicacies. The ritual includes offering 'makhamali' flower, walnut, ring of mustard oil and Paanch Rangi Tika which includes five colours- yellow, green, red, blue and white. According to hindu religion, Bhai-tika is performed by sisters to protect their brothers from Lord Yama, the god of death. 

 My assistant for decorating mandap was my five year old brother Abhinash (aunty's son). It was hard to get hold of him but I drove him off with the gun, not really. He helped me throughout and in return I put tika on him. He was more interested in what's on the mandap. 

When there are too many elders, you just have to follow them. You copy them, repeat whatever they do. One of  the fupus didn't turn up. Perhaps to do with her religion, I  woulnt know. We had fun.

The ritual of offering sagun, fruits and nuts and gifts continued throughout. It was sort of give and take. I could see smiles on all of them including the audience, the moms. Sisters were happy with the gifts/cheques they received  and so were brothers. Cousin Sagar did a ramp walk  covering himself top to toe with the gifts he received.

All this time, I was thinking of all of us, seven of us, lucky seven of us. We used to have so much fun, memories remain. If only going back was possible, I would to childhood days.

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Mha Puja

Mha Puja (half of the family missing

Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat are celebrated on the same day. It is a unique tradition of celebrating New Year, Nepal Samabat of Newars. It signifies an auspicious beginning of the New Year. Mha Puja meaning worshipping of the self. It celebrates the spirit within oneself. It provokes prosperity and longevity of oneself. 

Mha Puja Mandap

The ritual is usually in the evening. Half a day was spent on prep and the rest on decorating mandap. The eldest female of the family, in this case my mom played the role. We decorated mandap for all the members of the family while moms (mom & aunty) were busy in the kitchen. Different colours, grains, fruits and flowers were used for its decoration each playing a significant role. Uncle drew a mini mandap of oil within a mandap which represented the human soul. The reason it being inside is that a person shall prosper throughout the year. A person is believed to be blessed by each deity represented by fruits and grains. It is a must, one should wash his/her body before the ritual. I waited until the last minute and mom calls me 'basi khwa'. Yes, I didnt wash my face the whole day.

Enthusiasts on this day celebrates New Year with a rally called 'Nhu Daya Bhintuna' meaning Happy New Year. This day is regarded as auspicious and of religious importance.

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