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nepal's history
While walking down the narrow allies of Newar dwellings, you might hear the phrase, Bhimsen maharaj ki jaya (Cheers to Lord Bhimsen). His name is invoked by his patrons while lifting heavy weights or before a trading venture. Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists, he holds a special place in the pantheon of Newar deities.
The Newar pantheon features a multitude of deities. It is a diverse array of gods and goddesses of both Hinduism and Buddhism. Amongst them is Lord Bhimsen, worshipped by the households with the occupation of trade and commerce. Revered as the god of wealth and physical strength, he also has a festival known as Bhimsen Jatra. How he entered our pantheon is foretold by a legend, something that I, like other Newars, grew up with as a classic bedtime story.
Amongst the various deities of the Kathmandu Valley, Karunamaya holds the highest rank. He is known by multiple names such as Bunga Dyo (God of Bunga), Aryavalokitshwor Padmapani and Rato Matsyendranath. He is revered by citizens of both the Hindu and Buddhist faith. One of the most elaborate chariot festivals in the world happens annually in his honour.
The act of Shankadhar Sakhwa is more than of selflessness and grace. His wit and faith did not just bring him good fortune but also to the former kingdom of Kantipur.
Shankadhar Sakhwa also known as Sakhwal is the founder of the Nepal Era also known as Nepal Sambat. This man’s story is an epitome of how wit is more powerful than strength.
The festival of Indra Jatra is a grand amalgam of traditions. This day is the biggest festival for the Newar community of Kathmandu. Its sister cities also have their methods to mark the day. The elements of which all-together help create a vibrant atmosphere and pompous flare.
There are many legends about the origin of how the Kumari Jatra tradition started. The most popular one is of King Jaya Prakash Malla, the last ruler of the Malla dynasty, which tells how the goddess Kumari vanished when the queen finds out to whom the King secretly visited every night.
The assimilation of Taleju and Kumari occurred in Kathmandu and is said to have been during the reign of King Jaya Prakash Malla, the last Malla king of Kathmandu. The most well-known tale of the living goddess was born during the reign of Malla Kings.
There are several tales about the history and culture of Nepal. Among all those legends and stories, one is the goddess Kumari. The story tells about the origin of the goddess Kumari, a living goddess worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal.
Every city has it’s riveting tales passed down from one generation to another through written or oral traditions. These folk tales help create an aura of mysticism and magic; bring life to the city. Such as the legend of “The little golden bird of prosperity,” atop a serpent head rising above the golden statue of King Yog Narendra Malla at Lalitpur Dubar Square.
When Nepal was opened in 1950s for the world to experience, arrival of historians and academics helped document the history and unravel treasures of a forgotten past. Among the many books that have helped conserve Nepali history, here we made list of a few books to get one started.
The legend of a giant chariot festival began with the Kingdom that drought for years causing misfortune and chaos as a result of disrespect to Gorakhnath. And, how Matsyendranath through devout and prayer, guru of Gorakhnath protected the valley with rain for the harvest, pulling the chariot and celebrating the coming of Lord Karunamaya.
