Asan, Kathmandu

For city in Korea see Asan;for the place in Guam, see Asan, Guam; for the village in Azerbaijan see Heşan

Asan,Kathmandu

Asan (Nepal Bhasa: असं Nepali: असन) an ancient bazaar is the historical,cultural, religious and commercial center of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Six different streets namely Bhotahiti, Kamalachi, Nhaikantwala,Teuda, Balkumari, Masan: Galli converge on to Asan. Home to the Annapurna Ajima (The Goddess of Food), Asan is predominantly inhabited by Newars, the natives of Kathmandu valley. The Tuladhars form the majority of Newars residing at Asan.

Asan is well known as the bazaar for commodities ranging from daily grocery(vegetables) to special spices used during festivals. People from the entire valley and surrounding areas throng this market place during the major festival Dashain and Tihar to buy special spices,dry fruits,nuts etc.

History:Origin of the word "Asan"

Folklore:Fish from the sky and Aansa

The word Asan is a derivative of the word Ansaa: (Nepal Bhasa: अन्सं) which literally means just there (meaning somewhere very near by) in Newari language. According to folklore, once during a heavy rainfall in the valley, a fish fell off the sky at the place which is called Asan today. The news of a fish falling from the sky spread across the city and everybody wanted to come and take a look at the place. People started asking each other about the place where the fish fell and they answered in Newari as Ansa implying that the place where the fish fell is near by. Over the time the place became known as Aansa and later on the same word disintegrated to become what is known today as Asan.^{[citation needed]}

Eventoday there is a stone shrine to mark the place where the fish landed at Asan.

Astrologers prediction

Meanwhile, during those times, there were two very renowned astrologers in Kathmandu, the father and his son. Each of them had predicted about the fish falling off the sky on that day and each had pin pointed the location on the ground where to fish would fall.But the locations predicted by each was few yards apart. Later on when the fish actually fell, it landed at the location predicted by the son and the father was astonished at failure of his prediction. Later on the father comes to realize that he had failed to consider the effect of wind while making prediction.

Temples at Asan

Asan is the religious center for the Newars residing in and around the place. There are three major temples and two small god/goddess idols at Asan.

Annapurna Ajima

Annapurna Ajima

Annapurna Ajima (also known as Asanbhulu: Ajima) is the goddess of food is the main goddess at Asan. Annapurna literally means abundant food.The goddess has been idolized as a Silver Kalash filled with food. This goddess is the most revered one for the Newars of Asan whose main occupation has been to conduct business at Asan market.

Traditionally, the main business at Asan has been selling of different food and edible items ranging from daily grocery to spices,nuts,fruits used in special occasions. These Newar families at Asan have been worshiping Annapurna Ajima in belief that the goddess will help them keep their business running and henceforth make sufficient income to have their kitchen full with daily food.

Aasa Gane dyo

This is the temple of the god Ganesh for the Newars of Asan. Traditionally, every Newar settlement has had a Ganesh temple of its own. This Ganesh is revered by the Newars of Asan and it is a must visit temple during major festivities and occasions like baby naming ceremony,birthday, marriage ceremony.

Nya Lon

Nya Lon: (Nepal Bhasa: न्यां लों) literally stone fish'.There is a fish shaped stone idol to mark the spot where the fish fell according to the folklore.

Festivals at Asan

Asan is the cultural and religious center for Newars of Kathmandu and is host to number of traditional Newar festivals(jatras)

Janmaa: Dyo Jatra

Janma Dyo chariot at Asan

Asan is the first destination of Janmaa: Dyo (Seto Machhindranath) chariot during a three day long gala festival in the Kathmandu valley. The chariot is pulled by the general public from Teendhara Pathshala, Durbar Marga to Asan where it is rested overnight. The next day, the chariot is taken to Basantapur Durbar Square from Asan via Balkumari street.

This is one of the major festival for Newars at Asan and every house has gathering organized on that day.People put out traditional oil lamps on their windows to usher the goddess Janmaa: Dyo to their streets. Upon arrival of the chariot at Asan, people from and around Asan gather around the chariot and worship the goddess by lighting butter lamps.

Kumari Jatra

The Kumari chariot is pulled through Asan bazaar on the second day of Indrajatra. Although the chariot does not make a stop at Asan, this is an important day for Asan residents during the week long Indrajatra celebrations in the Kathmandu valley.

Asan Bajaa Khala

The Asan Bajaa Khala (Nepal Bhasa: असं बाजं खल:) is the group of drum players from the Tuladhar community of Asan. Every year during the month of Gunla of Lunar calendar (around August), various Newar communities of Kathmandu valley go to the Swyambhu Stupa every morning. Every community has a group of drum players which goes to Swyambhu representing the community.

Gallery

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  Asan bazaar in the early 19th century

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  Asan bazaar from Kamachi end

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  Asan bazaar from Balkumari end

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  Drumb players from Asan Baja Khala

External links

• Live Web-cam from Asan