* AbhasDR ________________________________
Kathmandu, Aug 18.
The Kalash Yatra of Changu Narayan has been observed on Wednesday, this time with a Republican twist.
The Kalash was taken to the office of the President, Dr. Ram Varan Yadav at Shital Niwas, where he worshipped it and received the tika, flower and prasad from the holy priest. Until last year, it was taken to ex-King's Royal Palace at Narayanhiti. Priest Chakra Dharanada Rajopadhyaya said, "Before when it had to be taken to the King, we had to wait for hours inside the premises of the palace bare-footed on the cold, cemented ground with the Kalash put on ground with no place to sit". He added, "We sometimes have to reach King's other residence at Nagarjuna. Because of this the Kalash would reach Changu at around midnight only."
But this year it was different. The President's office proved its hospitality by making the group who turned up in the Yatra stay on a sofa inside the palace and, to their surprise, offering tea to them, except the priest and two others who carried the Kalash for they shouldn't eat anything until the whole journey is completed. The Kalash was put on a table, where only after some wait, the President came to worship. Because of this the Kalash this time reached Changu at 8:30 p.m.
The Kalash Yatra of Changu Narayan has been observed on Wednesday, this time with a Republican twist.
The Kalash was taken to the office of the President, Dr. Ram Varan Yadav at Shital Niwas, where he worshipped it and received the tika, flower and prasad from the holy priest. Until last year, it was taken to ex-King's Royal Palace at Narayanhiti. Priest Chakra Dharanada Rajopadhyaya said, "Before when it had to be taken to the King, we had to wait for hours inside the premises of the palace bare-footed on the cold, cemented ground with the Kalash put on ground with no place to sit". He added, "We sometimes have to reach King's other residence at Nagarjuna. Because of this the Kalash would reach Changu at around midnight only."
But this year it was different. The President's office proved its hospitality by making the group who turned up in the Yatra stay on a sofa inside the palace and, to their surprise, offering tea to them, except the priest and two others who carried the Kalash for they shouldn't eat anything until the whole journey is completed. The Kalash was put on a table, where only after some wait, the President came to worship. Because of this the Kalash this time reached Changu at 8:30 p.m.
The Kalash was brought to Jamal from Changu carried on foot via the route of Mulpani, Gokarna, Jorpati, Bouddha, Chabahil and Gyaneswor. The jatra was welcomed by a team of Gurujyu Paltan with traditional firing. Three people carried the three Kalash, believed to be God Changu Narayan and Goddesses Saraswati and Laxmi all the way to Hanuman Dhoka in the presence of Goddess Kumari, after which as a tradition it was worshipped by the Head of the State.
According to a legend on this jatra, there was a king who used to eat only after worshipping Changu Narayan. One day a great flood came at Manohara because of which he couldn't get there. Waiting there, he fell asleep and God Changu Narayan said to come there himself in his dream. It is believed the jatra started since then, and the King is believed to be Mandev.
Priest Rajopadhyaya says this jatra can be observed by people of all economic classes, for only karkalo is to be offered to God and is feasted without any huge expenditure.
The Changu Narayan Kalash Jatra is observed twice a year, on Shrawan Shukla Dwadashi and Poush Shukla Poornima.
