Kathmandu. The people of Sudurpaschim and Karnali Province are celebrating Ujyali Gaura and Durvastami festivals today by worshiping Uma Maheshwar and Dubo. This festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra according to the lunar month.
According to the lunar month, the year when Agastya Rishi rises before the month of Bhadra, there is a classical law that it should be celebrated on the day of Shravan Shukla Ashtami, said the theologian, Prof. Dr. Ramchandra Gautam, former chairman of the Nepal Panchang Nirikh Bikash Samiti. Gaura celebrated in the Shukla Paksha is called Ujyali and Gaura celebrated in the Krishna Paksha is called Andhyari. Therefore, this year’s Gaura is called Ujyali. For those observing the fast for the first time, there is a fasting law that they should start from Shukla Paksha, i.e. Ujyali Gaura. According to which, new devotees can fast this year.
Gaura should not be celebrated even after the sun enters Virgo, i.e. after Asoj. It is mentioned in the Manaskhanda, Nirvanasindhu, and Hemadri that Gaura should be celebrated in Bhadau, when the Sun is in Leo. Gaura is considered a historical and original festival by the people of the Far West and Karnali regions. With the increase in the population of people from the Far West and Karnali provinces in the capital, this festival has also been celebrated here with great pomp.
Deuda cultural expert singer Nanda Krishna Joshi informed that this festival was started in the western region of the country to commemorate the fulfillment of the wish of Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, in the rainy season, in the month of Bhadra, in the month of Bhadra, in the rainy season, without fear of water, forest, land, and animals, to obtain Lord Mahadev.
To worship Gaura, the goddess is made into a shape by placing five plants, Kush, Kans, Sama (Sau), Teepati, and Apamarga, and sometimes sesame seeds. There is a tradition of bringing the goddess made in this way into a clean house of the village on the eighth day of Bhadra Krishna Ashtami, said Deuda cultural expert Joshi.
The village chieftain is supposed to bring the goddess in. It is believed that no one should see her when she is brought in this way. The chieftain takes her away so that the villagers who gather at the house where the goddess is brought in cannot find her. ‘For this festival, on the day of Bhadra Shukla Panchami, i.e. Rishi Panchami, kerau, barley, masyang, mas and gurans are soaked and kept, this is called Biruda. On Ashtami, Bhagwati is worshipped and Biruda is offered as Prasad. Biruda is also distributed to the devotees as Prasad. The day when five types of beans are soaked is called Biruda Panchami,’ he said.
After worshipping in this way for two or three days, the goddess is taken to a river, well, pond or water body without performing any rituals on Tuesdays and Saturdays. There is a tradition that the goddess should not be immersed during Jutho or Sutak. After immersing the goddess, there is a tradition of enjoying the goddess by singing bhajans, songs, etc. sung in Magal or Mangalik rituals. Just like Teej is celebrated in other parts of the country, this festival is celebrated especially by women in the West.
Durvastami
Since Dubo is also worshipped, this Ashtami is also called Durvastami. There is a religious rule to worship, worship and fast Uma Maheshwar on this festival with the wish that children and grandchildren will spread just as Dubo spreads.
Gaura and Durvastami festivals are also celebrated with the wish that children are good and full of virtues, and that they will have good life and health. Religious scholar Nepal also said that there is a classical belief that Dubo should not be worshipped if the entire Jyestha and Mul Nakshatra falls on the day of Ashtami. There is a classical belief that Dubo should be worshipped if the entire Jyestha and Mul Nakshatra do not fall on the entire Ashtami date.
It is mentioned in the religious scripture Hemadri that worshipping Dubo and Gaura on this day brings good fortune, children, and success in work. On this day, people from the Far West sing Deuda songs, dance and enjoy themselves. Residents of the Far West and Karnali provinces also entertain themselves on this day by performing Deuda songs and dances in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. With the increase in the population of residents of the Far West and Karnali provinces in the capital, this festival has started to be celebrated here with great fanfare. (RSS)