Nepal’s Bhaktapur town painted red as it welcomes new year
Apr 17, 2023
Bhaktapur (Nepal), Apr 17 (ANI): During the annual Sindoor (vermilion) Jatra, the Newa community of Thimi paints the city red as the town comes together at Balkumari Temple's front yard to welcome the Lunar New Year. Celebrated annually on the second day of the new year, devotees carry idols of different deities in a total of 32 palanquins, singing and dancing to traditional beats. The dawn of red starts with devotees who take three rounds of the Balkumari Temple touring the palanquins. Participants from all age groups—children, youths, elders, and the older ones smear the vermilion on each other's faces as well as throw it on the air in good jest. Celebrated on the second day of the Nepali month of Baisakh by the Newar community in Madhyapur. Thimi, the festival also marks the advent of the spring season. A day before the observance of Sindoor Jatra, the locals of Thimi perform Gunsin Chhoyekegu, which means the firing of forest wood. The next day, palanquins, locally called Khat," is taken to Vishnuvir during the day. Deities are taken on Khats to Kwachhen (Dakshin Barahi) from Layakhu during the night. On New Year's Day, devotees present offerings and pray to Goddess Balkumari. They flock in masses to her temple in old Thimi. Since time immemorial, she has been the consort of Bhairab. They both are the guardian deities of Kathmandu Valley. During the evening, devotees perform righteous acts such as lighting oil lamps. Some even place them on their legs, chest, forehead, and arms and lie static for hours. The next day, to liven up the atmosphere, musicians play Dhimay Baja (traditional drums and cymbals) to encourage the revellers. The vermilion powder that is smeared on each other and thrown up during the year is a symbol of prosperity. The music and vermillion powder fill the area with vibrancy and joy as devotees make merry while revolving their community chariots.
