|
Gunla
(A month of prayer and fasting from the new moon of Bhadra}
Gunla
is a sacred month dedicated to Lord Buddha. This festival commemorates
the auspicious "rains retreat" when the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago,
led his close disciples into solitary meditation and preached to them
the essence of his principles. Accordingly, monks and nuns go into
retreat during the rainy season. Lay Buddhists also spend the month in
prayer and fasting. They visit Swayambhunath and other shrines every
day early in the morning. Groups of people can be seen making their way
to Swayambhunath in the misty morning accompanied by musicl bands with
thumping drums carrying small clay figures of the Buddha and stupas.
The Gunla Lakhe masked dancer enlivens the festivals with his street
performances. A number of religious events are held c during this
period. Sacred texts (saphu) and ancient scroll paintings (paubha) are
brought out for display at monastic courtyards all over the city. The
most extraordinary collection of centuries old texts written in gold
and silver paint I can be seen within the courtyard of Thambahi
(Thamel). The festival of Gunla climaxes on the day of Poncho Daan, the
Festival of Five Offerings which is held in Patan, the auspicious
ceremony during which offerings are made to monks and household
priests. The priests chant prayers as they accept the gifts and shower
blessings in return.
| |
