Sikhism is guided by the principles of ten holy gurus and Guru Nanak is the first of those and the founder of the entire Sikhism. Celebrated with utmost reverence, today is the most sacred festival for the Sikhs across the globe. This day is known as Guru Parva among the Sikh community.
Guru Nanak was not just a founder of Sikhism but a social reformer and philosopher, who has given a new edge to entire humanity and social structures. Born in 1469, his birthplace Nakhana Sahib is current in Pakistan, every Sikh wishes to visit this place at least once in their lifetime.
The day begins with the morning procession of devotees at the Gurudwara, the holy place of daily worship of the Sikhs, and the glory of the Guru is described by chanting various mantras and chanting hymns. The hymn performed in the morning is called 'Asa Di Bhar'.
Such gatherings are called 'Amrit Bhela' and after 'Amrit Bhela' it is customary to have 'Laganaru' meaning free community meal and such feasts are organized by the volunteers of the Gurdwara. By organizing such parties, people of any caste, color, gender, or community are free to participate in them.
Especially after studying the holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib' for 48 hours from two days in advance, the day of Guru Parva is concluded according to the rules and regulations. Such a continuous religious study is called 'Akhandpathu'.
Accordingly, it is customary to perform Nagar Kirtan one day before Guru Parva in which various cultural jhankis are performed. In which Gurugranth Sahib's jhuluwa (palaki) is carried around the city chanting hymns. Such jhanki display traditional weapons of the Sikh community, such as spears, swords, Punjabi iron knives, and related traditional games based on self-defense.
There are Gurudwaras in many places in Nepal as well. Guru Nanak is remembered for organizing many programs in all these places. There is also a Gurudwara in Kupandol, Kathmandu. Today, there is enthusiastic participation of people of other religions and sects, including Sikhs.
This world still needs great gurus and great words like many Guru Nanak's, patience to follow the path of truth, and unwavering hope for the path of devotion. Happy this special day to the entire Sikh community. Hail to all.
Chaturmas and Kartik Snan concludes
Chaturmas ends on the full moon day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Auspicious rituals (Marriage/ Brabandha and specific pujas) are not performed during the four months of Chaturmas as there is a belief that doing good deeds in Chatrasmas will not bring any success. Since Lord Vishnu is sleeping in the Ksheer Sagar during this period, auspicious deeds were stopped for 4 months. From today, such rituals can be started.
After this full moon, Mangsir month starts, now the Sahits of marriage are being counted and planed in full swing. Kartik is considered to be the beloved month of Lord Vishnu. If it had been like other years, there would have been a big fair on this day in all the four Narayan temples around Kathmandu and all the Narayan temples across Nepal.
Marriages, Bratabandhas, and big worships, which have been stopped due to the Chaturmas, may now go well with adequate blessings and fortunes.
The Kartik Snan has also come to an end from today along with the Chaturmas. The holy Kartik Snan, which started with the conclusion of Dashain, has ended today. On the day of Ashwin Shukla Purnima, by worshiping Mahalakshmi and staying awake at night, the big Dashain was formally concluded and today the Kartik bath is also over.
The winter has started, the temperature is dropping, these dewdrops have started to wet the earth in the morning. Since the fear of corona infection can become more active with the cold, we should all stay alert and stay safe. Please look at Hamro Patro for festivals and ceremonies.
Nimbarkacharya Jayanti
Today is also Nimbarkacharya Jayanti. Many of us may not have heard the name of Guru Nimbarkacharya, let's talk about Nimbarkacharya Guru through Hamro Patro today.
Nimbarkacharya Guru, who was born in the town of Vaiduryapattan on the banks of the river Godavari in South India, has two opinions on his date of birth. Some believe that he was born in the Dwaparyuga, while others argue that he was born in the 11th century AD.
Let us first go by the name of Guru Nimbarkacharya. Nimbark means neem tree and Arka means sun, a wonderful story with neem tree and sun always comes to mind when talking about Guru Nimbakacharya.
The sadhana of Nimbarkacharya Guru from the banks of Godavari is found on the banks of Yamuna. One day while staying at his ashram, Dandi Swami was brought up in his ashram. They had scholarly conversations and meaningful discussions for a long time and it became evening. There is a story that Nimbarkacharya Guru, after being told by Dandi Swami that he would not eat after evening, was in a dilemma as to how to send the guest on an empty stomach.
There is a story that Nimbarkacharya Guru sent Dandi Swami with food after creating the sun deity in the neem tree near the courtyard. After this, the name of the Guru became Nimbarkacharya or Nimbananda.
Nimbarkacharya Guru is considered to be the incarnation of the Sun, some even consider him to be a part of Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. Today's birth anniversary of Nimbarkacharya Guru, who was born on the full moon day of Kartik Shukla, is celebrated by the followers of Sanatan Dharma with great enthusiasm and devotion.
Meaningful wishes.
World Toilet Day 
Worldwide 4.2 billion people live without safely managed sanitation and around 673 million people still practice open defecation.
As an indispensable thing to human life, Toilet has several names like restroom, latrine, and many others. Many of us have experienced and endured the threat of being locked in a toilet if a child does not read well. It is sometimes argued that the toilet, which is indispensable for life and synonymous with cleanliness, is viewed with so much hatred and disgust.
Sadly, most cities or villages in Nepal do not have proper toilet facilities. Many of us have a habit of defecating and urinating in the toilet of the house when we have to go out and holding it till we return so that we don't get in the way.
We have found that most of the toilets from the hospital to the cinema are smelly. Now, gradually, public toilets are getting cleaner in Nepal but still, a lot is to be done.
The world celebrates World Toilet Day on November 19 every year, highlighting the importance of this toilet and its importance. The theme for the toilet day of 2021 is valuing the toilet, asking everyone across the globe to value the importance of this small yet important part of the home.
Even though the daily use of toilets is gradually increasing in Nepal, why are public toilets not a priority in the urban sprawl model in the growing urbanizations, and why there is no proper sanitation and management?
But even in the developed cities of Nepal, there is no easy public toilet system, which makes it very difficult. In some places, the cost of public toilets is so high that it seems that we are the ones who pay the highest amount of money for the toilet, in the world.
The main thing is not to let the next generation develop the feeling that a toilet is a dirty place, it is important to spread the information and messages to every class, gender, caste, community that there is no alternative to cleaning the toilet and making it infection-free. Remember that proper use of clean toilets is also an integral part of a civilized society.
Suyog Dhakal
Liked by:
