Blog · Literatureनेपाली चाडपर्व तथा विशेष दिनहरू
Kathmandu valley annually commemorates the chariot festival (Jatra) on the glory of Yogi Matseyanandrnath since 1600 years and even more. This Jatra lasts for two months starting from Baisakh Shukla pratipada till Asar Shukla Chauthi.
The cultural and religious significance of Jatra is of particular importance, says the cultural expert.
The Jatra, which is one of the most important of Patan and the longest Jatra of the valley has been carrying an undisputable discipline and symmetrical faith prehistoric. Today is the commencing day of this Jatra, my utmost prayers for
Matsenyanandrnath before I begin my write-up by reintroducing Yogi Matsenyanandrnath through my drab words and naive explanations, forgive me if any wrong judgment. Yogi Matsenyanandrnath is a Siddha who can control the forces of nature, he is hugely observed as a lord of rainfall in Nepal. One who practices Yoga is called Yogi and Yogi Matsenyanandrnath is a Siddha who is also acknowledged for delivering his knowledge to Gorakhnath, Yogi Gorakhnath is hugely worshipped across the globe and Nepali royal clan expresses their large proximity with the rituals in offering and worshiping Yogi Gorakhnath. Go means "Earth" and Rakh means to protect, the entire earth is protected by a boy called Gorakhnath who is not just a disciple but also a son of Yogi Matsenyanandrnath. There is a very interesting story of the manifestation of Gorakhnath by Yogi Matsenyanandrnath, I will elaborate that story some other day. In Sanskrit Matsenyanandrnath translates to the lord of fishes, Yogi Matsenyanandrnath is Maha svarupa and Matsya Svarupa, he is a founder of Kaula tradition. Let me explain Kaula for you, it is said that Yogi Matsenyanandrnath spent twelve years in a belly of fish in the ocean (this is called "Kula"). Kula is also described as an illusion that is mastered and defeated by Yogi Matsenyanandrnath, "Kaula" is the origin of Vajrayana Buddhism and Kashmiri Shaivism.
oṁ siddha yogī matsyendra nāthāya namaḥ
Matsenyanandrnath or Machindranath is called Bunga Dyah in local Newa language, recognized by both (Hindu and Buddhists) as an incarnation of Lord Shiva in Hindu and as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara in Buddhism.
At the beginning of the Jatra of Lalitpur-based Red Matsyendranath, the idol of Karunamayi is made from the soil of the present Mahepi hill and the spirit of the Karunamayi in the Kalash is established in that clay idol. That idol is washed today, all these rituals happen under delicate supervision and keen involvement of community people. This auspicious chariot is then carried and placed in several avenues of Lalitpur city during these two months of the Jatra celebration, finally, after showing the auspicious "Bhoto" at Jawalakhel this Jatra concludes and the idol is respectfully carried to Bungmati. The ancient village of Bungmati is the birthplace of Yogi Matsenyanandrnath, this is where the holy idol of Matsenyanandrnath rests for the next six months after the chariot festival.
This year is adverse and congregations are forbidden because of the Corona crisis. Lord Matsenyanandrnath have a million Kripas upon us, may his blessings and leadership drive us.
Meaningful wishes
World Nurse day 2021 
Due to the Corona disaster, the importance of nurses around the world has increased tremendously. The role of nurses in our health infrastructure, which has been severely affected by the second wave of corona, has been widely demonstrated. Nurses who have been immersed in the treatment of corona infected for hours have not been able to visit their families for weeks, even though they are stuck in PPE their efforts for recovering patients are admirable and inspiring. Many nurses are suffering from the infection themselves and as they get negative PCR, they instantly rush back to serve people. I bow to all the nurses who take care of us all while maintaining the essence of the profession and humanity.
We want to take you back to 197 years ago, on May 12, 1820, in the city of Florence, Italy. Today, the world is celebrating International Nurses' Day on the occasion of the birth of the great Florence Nightingale, a nurse who made an unprecedented contribution to modern medicine, that is, the beginning of the professional health care and added a new height to care and cure. Florence is also known as A Lady with a Lamp, meaning a woman carrying a tuki or lantern.
During the Crimean War in Europe at that time, the soldiers who were working day and night to treat the wounded soldiers called her Lady with a Lamp with respect. Florence Nightingale, the world's first nurse to reach out to patients at night, has also set up the world's first private nursing school at Thomas Hospital in London, UK, which is still operating a non-profit organization.
When Florence was born in 1820, steam locomotives were not even invented in a prosperous country like Britain. History has shown that the UK launched its first steam locomotive just 10 years after she was born.
However, by the time she left the world in 1910, the world had begun with trains, electricity, cars, and planes. There are many people in the world who believe that Florence has seen and felt a momentous change. At that time, when it came to health care, the hospital did not pay much attention to hygiene and even the health workers were ignorant about taking care of the patient's feelings and self-esteem.
Therefore, Florence has brought the modern nursing profession as a deep service concept in keeping the hospital clean and respecting the feelings and verdicts of the patients. The world celebrates Nurses' Day on May 12 each year, discussing Florence's contribution. The nursing profession has been held in high esteem by people all over the world for the past century.Nurses wearing white coats, ribbons on their hair, medicines, and health care providers with smiles. The nurse reminds me of the hospital and the main thing is health care and loving care, doesn't it?
While the world is discussing Florence's contribution, let's get down to business, isn't it, in Nepal's nursing history?
A Brief History of Nursing in Nepal
We can't imagine a hospital without a nurse.After the establishment of Bir Hospital in 1947AD, there were only a few compounders as health assistants and only a handful of people trained in India. During that time at Bir hospital, dressings and other treatments were done by the compounder or the doctor themselves. The Nepali history of nursing seems to have started in 2013 BS when Nepali students, including some housewives, were formally trained as nurses.
It is believed that the beginning of nursing in Nepal was due to the importance of health care and nursing in the aristocratic family during the Rana regime. During the Rana period, four Nepali women, Bidhavati Kansakar, Radha Devi Malakar, Dharmadevi Kansakar, and Bishnu Devi Rai, have a history of training as health assistants from Allahabad, India. After that, the trend of Nepali women going to India for 4 years and 9 months long nursing courses has gradually increased. Today, the presence of nurses in hospitals and clinics across the street can be seen in large numbers. Numerous nursing colleges have opened in cities and it is becoming more and easier to go abroad, so the attraction towards nursing is increasing. The amazing thing about nursing is that there are only a handful of men in this profession, some time ago, some nursing colleges also provided nursing training to men, but later men were not attracted to this profession. Perhaps the sweet presence of women in this business of love, affection, and care seems to be the best. The Florence Nightingale Medal is considered to be the highest degree in the nursing profession, meaning that the Florence Nightingale is a source of inspiration for every nurse.
Florence is not only a philanthropist but also a prolific writer, whose books on medical treatment are so simple in English language and illustrations that anyone can easily understand. A wounded soldier in the Crimean War wrote a poem about Florence, presenting that poem, before hitting the whip of special material on this day, just here:
Lo! in that house of misery
A lady with a lamp I see
Pass through the glimmering gloom,
And flit from room to room
Suyog Dhakal
