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
Remembering the Mahavukampa (Earthquake) of 2072 BS, April 25th, 2015
Nepal earthquake of 2015, also called the Gorkha earthquake, severe earthquake which struck the city of Kathmandu and other cities in central Nepal on April 25th. 9000 people lost their lives and several thousand injured, damaging millions of infrastructures including heritage sites and ancient structures. Felt throughout central and eastern parts in Nepal, northern India, northwestern Bangladesh, and western Bhutan till the southern parts of the plateau of Tibet.
The initial shock of 7.8 magnitudes stuck shortly before local noontime on Saturday afternoon followed by two huge aftershocks of 6.6 and 6.7, and several dozen aftershocks occurred during succeeding days. Today is the fifth annual day of the devastating earthquake, recalled as Mahavukampa or the remarkable earthquake of Nepal.
The terror of the Baishakh 12 earthquake of 2072 BS is still in our minds in various forms. Fear has not stopped us from panicking, we fear even when a heavy vehicle passes by our street and we feel some shakes, our heart still beats like a drum when people shout loud in some other reasons, the aftermath of the earthquake remains in psychological, economic and social dimensions of our lives. After 5 large years of the earthquake, after a half-decade of ancient Kathmandu city withstanding without Dharahara finally the construction of Dharahara has started. Starting from this positive news, let's remember how we survived and sustained the Mahavukampa of 2015 AD.
In the great earthquake that took thousands of lives, human beings and human-made infrastructures were kneeling with nature, people were just in survival mode. Now, it is not even just 5 years, seeing the same structure and construction again shows how easily and quickly we have forgotten the earthquake. The biggest lesson earthquake taught us was that it was not earthquake phantom but it was those human-made structures that were taking our lives.
It seems necessary to move forward by embracing the destruction, assimilating the reasons for devastation and implementing the knowledge of the earthquake.
The earthquake of 2072 BS not only damaged the structure but also our identity and historical heritage. The quake-hit cities, villages, and capital still hold the hope of rebuilding its identity and originality with the townspeople.
The wooden mandapa, after which the city of Kathmandu was named, was reduced to dust by the earthquake. Similarly, Dharahara tower was also reduced to dust where hundreds of people got killed, this earthquake brings a lot of tragedies and demands for a commitment and solidarity for an earthquake resilient values and system.
Nepal is also a high-risk country in terms of seismic risk. Despite the high seismic risk, the lesser initiative has been taken to reduce the risk. Since earthquakes don't alarm before coming, in the present day, it is necessary to concentrate on the construction of the structure and focus on the awareness to reduce the quake-related destruction. Even if we cannot cope with nature, let us all be aware of the risks involved.
Earlier, the stories of the 1990 BS earthquake have been replaced by the 2072 BS quake stories. Due to the mobility of the underground plates, the next generation will also have to bear the risk of earthquakes. Even if we can't stop the earthquake, let's construct solidarity for everyone to reduce its risk, Today, we also want to pay tribute to the unknown and unknown souls who lost their lives in the earthquake.
Remembering and loving everyone.
Suyog Dhakal for Hamro Patro
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