Harisiddhi

Harisiddhi Harsiddhi, Jatala, Jala, Jestapur
—  Village development committee  —
Nickname(s): Maharjan, Jyapu(Jya Yaye Phu)
Harisiddhi Location in Nepal
Coordinates: 27.64°N 85.35°E / 27.64; 85.35
Country	Nepal
Zone	Bagmati Zone
District	Lalitpur District
Population (1991)
• Total	5,939 (According to the census 2,058 BS)
Time zone	Nepal Time (UTC+5:45)
Website	http://www.ourharisiddhi.com, http://www.subodhmaharjan.com.np, http://www.nepstyl-kreation.com

Harisiddhi is a village development committee in Lalitpur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4116 living in 754 individual households.

Introduction of Harisiddhi Village

About 8 km far from the capital of Nepal, on the way to south-east Godawari forest, there is a historical village named Harisiddhi village where surname Maharjan of Newar caste is lived most. This village is named by goddess Harsiddhi, whose 4 storied temple is situated in the middle of the village. The word Harisiddhi is by mistakenly used. Actually, it should be Hara (Shiva) and Siddhi (Parbati) or Harasiddhi which indicates a half of body is Shiva and the remaining half is Parbati or the attribute of ShivaParbati.

According to the Hindu Econography goddess Harsiddhi has 4 hands with Damaru, Kamandalu, Khadga and Kalash. The origin of this goddess is Ujjain India.

"The History of Nepal written by Daniel Wright (Cambridge 12th Jan 1877, page 132), The Raja (Vikramajit went back to Ujjain and having brought the Goddess of three Shakties or powers of attributes named Harsiddhi, placed here near Nil Tara from this, the village of Harsiddhi took its origin. The Raja then, under the direction of the goddess brought all the Gods Nepal to that place with great ceremonies and dramatic performances and vocal and instrumental music. It is well known that there is no dramatic performance equal to that of Harsiddhi."

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

Geographical condition

This village is about 4,400 feet (1,300 m) high from the sea-level. Its latitude is 270 38' north and longitude is 850 21' east and the temperature is between 20 to 34 °C (68 to 93 °F)^{[citation needed]}. This village is surrounded by Godawari Stream in the east and Kodku Stream in the west. Most of the land in this village is plain and because of fertile soil, the crops are very good here.

There is Siddipur VDC in the North-East, Dhapakhel VDC in the west, Thaiba VDC in the south and Imadol VDC lies in the northern part of this village.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

Social Condition

According to the census 2058 BS, the total population of this village is estimated 5939 nearly. Among then 92% is Newar (surname Maharjan), 4% other Newar Caste and 4% are Damai, Kami, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Chhetri and Brahmin. Ancient Newars’ liked to live in congested area; they have their own religion and traditional culture. They are related in Guthi i.e. the committee that makes rules for the community according to the tradition and culture. So, the mutual co-operation is very strong in the Newar society. Maharjan community liked to marry with Maharjan Female. Now-a-days other caste is also accepted. Most of the villagers are of medium social status. Now, other Nepali people are attracted to make habitat in this village because of the various facilities.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

Educational Condition

This village is forward in education. It has higher secondary, secondary, middle and primary schools. Nearly, 2000 above students are studied in those schools. It is proud of this village that could born SLC board topper as well as University Topper students. Now, it has 4 doctors, 8 Engineers, 1 Lawyers, 40 Teachers and some Computer technicians. It is regret to mention here that qualified and skilled man-power of it is gone to foreign countries for employment and study. The educational environment is not good in Nepal.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 7, 2011]

Religious Condition

Most of the villagers believed in traditional Hindu religion. Still it has a few percent Buddist, Krishna Pranami, Christian and Nirankari.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 8, 2011]

Arrival of Harsiddhi Goddess

The origin of Harisiddhi is in India. Indian emperor Bikramaditya is the founder of "Bikram Sambat" who came to Nepal and brought his beloved goddess Harisiddhi and establish in Baneshwor, Nepal. He started the dance of god and goddess. After some year, the dance is discontinued. At the Lichhabi dynasty 745 B.S., Goddess Harisiddhi is transferred to Harsiddhi village and started the dance. Again the dance is discontinued for some years. At the time of Amar Malla, the famous incantatory Gayojuju brought the disappeared dance and Yog Narendra Malla provided 310 ropanies land for the purpose of daily worship and 294 ropanies land to continue the dance. In the middle of the village, the temple of goddess Harsiddhi is established. Instead of the recognition of "Bhairab, Harsiddhi and Kumari" three clay-pot with full of water are set in the temple towards west direction. This goddess is also known as Tri-Shakti, Tri-Devi, Maheswori, Amba Maa, Baishnavi and Jagdambba. According to the main priest Tri-Bikram Jwalananda Rajopadhya, main goddess Harsiddhi is the creator of the world. She creates "Bhairab and Kumari" with her miracle power. So, she is also known as Tri-Shakti (three powered) goddess. According to Devi Puran (history) era 75 page no. 18, though goddess is imageless still with her miracle power, possess image and believed that she accept the public-pray if prayed with holy-mind and blesses the prayer according to their wish.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 9, 2011]

The First Mask Dance of Nepal

According to the history of Nepal, the mask dance of goddess Harsiddhi is the "First Mask Dance" of Nepal. It is well known that there is no vocal and instrumental music and dramatic performance equal to that of Harsiddhi. The dance is very fantastic still. One can not satisfied with his first seen. The combination of music with different instruments and the vocal which is believed the original voice of the god at that time is very charming. In the old days, this dance is performed three months continuously. The people were not interested to watch such a long period dance and the value of it was going decreasing. So that the dance is completed within a day accumulating the main events of the dance. So, it is a little difficult to understand the nature of dance in a day, said the priest. No argument that the dance is very exciting. Now-a-days, the dance is performed two times in a year. First is at the time of "Yomari Purnima" and the 2nd is at "Holy Purnima". This time is the main festival of the local people and their closer friends and relatives are invited as guest.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 10, 2011]

The establishment of the village

Harisiddhi village is named by the name of goddess Harsiddhi. Nearly 60 persons are needed to perform the dance of Harsiddhi from 60 families. Gathering those families Harisiddhi village was formed. They are almost from the Maharjan Newar Caste. This village is surrounded by 4 main gates. The villagers made 8 ponds, 10 wells, 7 taps, 4 small wells, 43 patis, 46 temples of various god and goddess and 12 big public grounds. The village was not allowed to enter with leather shoes as in Pashupati temple but the people felt difficult to obey this rule. So, the people did not follow this rule now.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 12, 2011]

Arrival of Harsiddhi from Phulchoki forest

During the mall dynasty, there lived a famous incantatory named Gayojuju (Yogendranand Rajopadhya), he could talk with god and goddess and able to get up the death body. He had started Gurukul School in his home. His pupils helped him in household as well as learning. One day one of his pupils went to Godawari forest to collect some wood. He heard there a strange musical sound. He went ahead listening that sound. He reached the top of the Phulchoki forest and saw the strange scene. He was afraid and had gone to hide in a bush from there, he looked those strange scene that god and goddess came down from the heaven, performed dance with lovely music and departured. The events were continued for a day long. In the evening the dance was ended. He came from the bush and forgot that he was coming to collect the wood. He came back with empty hand. When guru asked him about the empty hand, he explained the description of events he had seen in the forest. The guru was also very surprised about that. The guru was curious to know about the events. Next morning the guru with his pupils went to the venue with full preparation. They looked all circumstances hiding in a bush. The guru banned the area by raw string with incantation. God and goddess came down to dance from heaven. But they could not departure. All of them came down and dance but no one could departure. Then goddess Harsiddhi asked who did that? Soon, Guru came out from the bush and apologizes in front of the Harsiddhi and he did so because he was not satisfied yet to watch the dance. So, he prayed to get chance to watch the dance again. The goddess said that the management is difficult to perform that dance. When the guru promised to managed the required materials Devi agreed the promise. The guru chantedly makes the gods to enter in drinking vessel, wraps the vessel with raw string and covered with grass. They came down from the hill carrying the vessel by a pupil. When they reached at the 9 taps (Nau Dhara – place name), bottom of the hill they liked to have a rest. When they reached at Thaiba (place name), they took rest and heard pig crying. Then Devi asked to departure from that place and taken near Harsiddhi village place called Sichako (place name) from that the travel continued to Harsiddhi village place called Niba (place name of Harsiddhi), ahead of 100 steps from that place Devi was established. Later the temple for Harsiddhi goddess is founded there.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 13, 2011]

Who named Harisiddhi?

In ancient, there were two giants named Prachanda. One day they went to the Kailash (the place of Lord Shiva). They hurt the gate-man Nandi. Lord Shiva knew it and remembered the Goddess Chandika. Goddess appeared immediately and killed those 2 giants in order of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased and said," from this day you will be worshipped as Harsiddhi by the people".

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 14, 2011]

Where are Harsiddhi established?

Goddess Harsiddhi is established in the following places and she is worshipped as follows:

1. Ujjain India – Amba Maa
2. Dwarika India – Baishnavi
3. Gujarat India – Harsiddhi
4. Dolakha Nepal – Balkumari
5. Sita Paila Kathmandu – Harsiddhi Pith
6. Kwalkhu Patan – Tri-Devi
7. Dhulikhel Kavre – Tri-Shakti
8. Agnimath Patan – Maheswori
9. Thaiba Lalitpur – Jagdambba
10. Harisiddhi Lalitpur – Tri-Shakti

Nepalese first and finest mask dance is the dance of Harsiddhi. King Yog Narendra Malla provided 310 ropani lands for daily worshipping and 294 ropani of land for the festival of every 12 years. So that, this beautiful dance will be continued.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 15, 2011]

12 years festival of Harsiddhi

The main functions of the 12 year tradition are as follows:-

1. Appointment of Priests
2. Coloring of Masks
3. Dress Making
4. Bringing of Holy-Wood
5. Re-gain the divine power
6. The establishment of Kalash (Clay-vessel with full of water)

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 16, 2011]

Appointment of Priests

Priests are appointed only in 12 years festival instead of death and disabled. Main priests 10 persons are appointed by the patron of the country (President). The elder son of the priest is chosen president wraps their head with the white piece of clothes for next 12 years as managers. In this 12 year festival 2066 B.S., President Ram Baran Yadev inaugurated the function. Before this time, His Majesty did it. Other assistant priests are appointed by main priests consulting with the Brahman. Among main God and Goddess Kumari is appointed from main priest and Ganesh, Maheswori and Bhairab are from assistant priests. Angels among those 19 assistant priests, one boy is appointed who is not done Brata-Bandha (religious act) should not be dropped original teeth and no any other black spots on the body. In the same way other boy is appointed from the public. Those two boys are known as Jichamacha and Khola-Macha. It is believed that those boys are holy-person and used to clean and worship the god. And provide a little land for living. Unluckily, in the 12 year tradition of 2018 BS, court of the country decide that the priest who have learnt the voice of god should not be rejected so that those two boys are appointed only from the family of assistant priests. Miss-understanding this process, neighbor villagers and surrounded public believe that a human-being is sacrificed in Harisiddhi in every 12 year tradition, which is totally wrong. It is true that 5 animals (he-buffalo, sheep, goat, duck and a pair of fish) are sacrificed and blood is drunk to main goddess Maheswori, Kumari and the god Bhairab. The performance of Harsiddhi mask dance is difficult as well as expensive. So, a lot of land, nearly 600 ropanies of land are provided for the priests and other helpers, Other helpers are : a) potter (to make clay vessel), b) dress-maker, c)artists (to color the masks), d) music player as Sahanai (small clarinet), kaha (long clarinet), flower provider and so on. After the completion of fulfillment of priests Khola-Macha (angel) opens right side door of the temple which was shut on the day of cow festival and 4 days later Jichamacha (angel) opens left side door and enter all priests into the temple. Then, the dancing and musical training starts for them all under the rules and regulations of the temple. It is remind able that those priests wear traditional white dresses, and keep their hair long. They are not allowed to cut the hair, eat chicken, garlic and do smoking. On the occasion of function they put on strange cap (like a hat rounded by a long piece of cloth) and they are free from mourning culture. All they are respected in the village as well as neighboring villages. They themselves respect on the basis of their role in mask dance. Two week later of training, they rehearsal the dance in front of the temple without possessing mask and holy-dress. They only cover their face with bunch of flowers to avoid shame if done mistake on dancing. Some days later, villagers and VDC contribute some money to meet the requirement of expense to perform the full phase of mask dance. This festival is known as 12 year tradition of Harisiddhi and celebrates joyfully inviting their relatives from other places.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 17, 2011]

Coloring of masks

Special painter is admitted to paint or color the mask so as to keep the mask in original color. This is possible only in 12 year tradition. In turn they are provided some plot of land as remuneration. They keep secret the method of coloring. And it is believed that the real image of the mask itself has divine power. They should not be look with empty hand. They paint the god of music "Nateswor" or Nriteswore or Nasa Dyo on a sheet of cloth, drawing three different eyes denoting Ganesh, mother (shy nature) and father (angry nature). The priests have to take fasting on the re-new establishment of Nasao Dyo and in the evening they go to bring the colored masks inside the temple.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 18, 2011]

Dress making

The holy dresses worn on the mask dances are also made in 12 year tradition only. Special person is admitted to make new dresses. He is also provided some plot of land.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 19, 2011]

Bringing of holy wood

A kind of wood which is needed to burn while chanting by a guru to make pure the condition is brought from the Phulchoki forest in the former. But nowadays it is brought from the small bush where available nearby the village by guru in especial manner and carried it to the place where mask dance is performed. During this time, they are welcomed by guru in south gate entrance

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 20, 2011]

Regain the divine power

It is believed that the divine power of god and goddess are diminished at the end of every 12 year. So, they have to re-gain the divine power. They go to the following places of Kathmandu valley for pray to re-gain the divine power as: Sunakothi

• Chobhar Ganesh
• Jalandhar, Kirtipur
• Balkhu Bishnu Devi, Naikap
• Sita Paila, Kathmandu
• Mhepi, Naya bazaar
• Old Baneshwor
• Dadhikot, Bhaktapur
• Okhata Sanagaon, Lalitpur
• Harisiddhi Pith, Lalitpur
• Nasao Dyo and, Lalitpur
• Harisiddhi Temple

All of those 29 priests go to the place. One by one and main god and goddess who are covered with a big piece of clothe separately are Ganesh, Maheswori, Bhairab and Kumari. They sit in front of the concerned deity. Other priests who take part in music will spell the divine words. In some minute they trembled themselves which is the symbol of re-gained power. Normal person cannot tremble continuously for a long time as they do. They chant, sitting in front of those deities. They will not communicate by words with the public. If they need something they indicate with hands or write on a sheet of paper. Knowing this situation the local government VDC requested the LDO/CDO to help for the police to escort. Because they have to reach all those place in a day. It is possible only if there is no traffic jam. In the former it took long days. They had to carry required things. There were no transportation facilities. They were always busy. They could not participate in the work of private interest. They should not be touched by man and animals to regain the power. In the former, while they walk on the way, general people did not understand. If some obstacle found on their walking, they ex-hole the voice to be aside. When the priests wear their formal dress, they appear strange and the general people may afraid or may attack. They may think that those are miss-kind people. But it is miss-understanding only. They re-gain the power last in the Harasiddhi temple.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 21, 2011]

The establishment of Kalash (clay-vessels)

This is the main part of the 12 year tradition. The potter is admitted and some plot of land is provided to make required Kalash guru priest determined a day to make the Kalash i.e. 7 to re-establish and 29 to throne Kalash bathing. When they are ready, the priests take fasting and bring them to the village. They are welcomed at the northern gate of the village by guru and they are taken to the Nasao Dyo temple. The guru burns the holy-wood and binds those 7 Kalash by chanted thread and remaining are surrounded to it, filling the water. In the evening, the guru throne the 'Kalash bathing' to the priests according to their role in dancing. One after another they lift the Kalash and rounded 3 times to the fired point and poured the Kalash water on their bodies and then broke these. Three old Kalash established in Nasao Dyo are removed and thrown to three different places. Ganesh throw inside the temple, Bhairab throw to the pith temple and Kumari throw at the garden. Similarly, four Kalash established in Harisiddhi temple are also removed. Main goddess Maheswori throw one inside the temple and remaining three by senior priests to the pond nearby the temple. Then new 7 Kalash are established in both places i.e. 3 in Nasao Dyo and 4 in Harisiddhi temple. They are the symbol of god. The animals are sacrificed where the Kalash are thrown as follows:-

• At Nasao Dyo temple, inside a goat and outside a buffalo.
• At pith a goat and a buffalo
• At the garden, a goat is sacrificed
• At the middle distance of Nasao Dyo and Harisiddhi temple, a buffalo and
• At Harisiddhi temple, inside a goat and outside 5 buffalo.

They are sacrificed all at a time. People stand in a queue to inform one another to sacrifice and match the voice and sacrificed. The next day all men in the village are invited to have feast and the following day all women are invited to have it. After the completion of all these process, the mask dance trainee rehearsal without mask but cover their face by flowers so as not to be Ashame when done some mistake. Later the full phase of mask dance is performed contributing the expenditure required for dancing by the local government (VDC) and the people. The expenditure is more than one lakh (one hundred thousand).

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 22, 2011]

Demonstrate the dance

It is the part of 12 year tradition that the new trained mask dancers have to demonstrate the dance at the various places which are ascertained from the past. They are at Lalitpur district, Patan, Thaiba, Thecho, Khokana and Bungamati. At Kathmandu district, Farping, Dev-Patan (Jaya Bagheswori), Bhaktapur district, Dhulikhel, Panauti and Dolakha district. The concerned people have to bear the expense needed for the dance. Otherwise, the dance is not compelled to perform. There is second Harsiddhi temple in Dhulikhel-Kavre district. So, the common people should not be confused about the Harsiddhi place. This means Lalitpur-Harisiddhi, Kathmandu-Harisiddhi (Sita Paila) and Kavre-Harisiddhi.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 24, 2011]

Culture

Although Newar are poor in economic conditions. Still rich in culture. There are enough temples, wells, platforms, ponds, etc. where Newar are inhabitants. It is because of pious, pettiness and love hearted nature of them. They contribute from different angles for social welfare. They celebrate different culture joyfully with their original music with original and seasonal songs.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 07, 2011]

Birth culture

The placenta (food transfer tube) of new born child is cut on the same day and takes to throw in certain place; instead of it she is offered some grains and some money. Next day the oldest person of the family goes to astrologist to make the birth record and he writes the record in Nepalese paper forecasting his good or bad luck. To make the free from the evils the god is worshipped mixing with beaten rice, soya bean, ginger. On the 4th day of birth, astrologist put certain name to the infant and called name is firstly called by maternal aunt. After 6 months if daughter or 7 months if son is feed rice-pudding. That day the god and goddess are worshipped, Hair-cutting. First long hair of the son is cut by maternal uncle and provide cap as a gift. If daughter, she is put far from the son and male for 11 days before first menstruation. She is hidden in certain dark room. If desired the people can took their daughter along with. The custom is that their relatives bring to feed roasted grains as maize, wheat, soya bean. On the 12th day early morning, they take bath and worship the morning sun. They stand in a row and go to worship the god.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 08, 2011]

Wedding

In Newar society, the wedding is celebrated at the age of 20–25 years. The marriage is arranged by two middle-men by both sides. The tradition is that the group of people with odd numbers 9, 11, or more goes to the bride's house. Taking Sindur (red powder), daffodil flower, dress, ornaments and fooding. Bride is welcomed on the main gate as Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and next day, bride's family welcomes the bridegroom as Narayan (the god of truth) and takes nuts and gives him dress and some money. On the 4th day bride's side come to call the daughter and take her to their house. Nowadays legal marriage, love marriage is also found. If they love each other on the age, they ran far away from the family for some days and if the family accepted they become the couple. In the Hindu religion, sexual intercourse is not accepted before marriage. In the legal provision, the marriage is accepted if the age of male is not less than 18 and 16 for female and there should not be different the age more than 20 years between them Re-wedding. If divorced legally, they are free to re-marriage with other person.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 09, 2011]

Anniversaries

In Newar society, anniversary is celebrated yearly taking bath and worshipping gods. But at the age of 77 years, 7 months, 7 days, 7 hours, 7 minutes and 7 seconds, the celebration called "Zanko" in local language is very important known as 1st special celebration. 2nd celebration is at the age of 81 years when the moon is seen 1000 times. 3rd is at the age of 88 years, 8 months, 8 days, 8 hours, 8 minutes and 8 seconds. 4th is at 99 years 9 months 9 days 9 hours 9 minutes and 9 seconds. At this time the person is put inside in a big clay-pot and takes him out breaking the pot.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 11, 2011]

Death culture

If the infant less than 4 months is died, their family members take it to bury at riverside in mid-night. No any tradition is followed for it. If the infant more that 4 months but before Brata Bandha or Gufa is died, member of Guthi (religion society) take on hand and reached to grieve-yard to burn. The custom is finished within 4 days. If the person after Brata Bandha and Gufa is died, their bodies are carried in a bamboo stair-case by the maternal sons or by the members of religion society to the cemetery for burn. After the complete burn of the body, his/her closer father, son, brother go to collect the ash and take to the Ganges (river side) to flow. If the sun is not set in the west. Otherwise, it follows in the next day morning when the sun rises in the east. 4th day along of it, relatives and good-hearted persons come to condole the family. This type of death has to follow various social tradition but if a girl on the time of Gufa (hidden-room) is died, its body is not bring out but bring down straight from dead place making holes and buried on the ground floor. The tradition is not followed it also.

4th day of death (Lochaa), relative females come to condole the family with beaten rice, vegetables and grains.

7th day, it is believed the Newar society that the sprit or soul of the death person come to accept the foodings provided by his/her daughter/mother. So, various good foodings are offer outside the main gate.

10th day, mourning family go to cut their hair and moustache (the son has to cut even the eyebrow) and go to take bath. The oldest member (Thakali) provides the mourning dress to wear for the son.

12th day, the Brahmin comes to pray for the family and purified the house.

45th day, again Brahmin comes and pray and male members wear white caps.

6 months, Brahmin comes to pray and relatives are invited to participate in worship and provide them food.
1 year, gods are worshipped, relatives are called and mourning dress is unfastened and put on common dress. Thus, the death culture is ended.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 12, 2011]

Social Traditions

New Year of BS, BS or Nepal Sambat is celebrated happily. Scrubbing their houses, wearing new clothes etc. Parent's day is celebrated by son/daughter giving good food and new wearing. If they have no parents, then offer same things to the Brahmin to convey to their heaven parents. Full moon day, mostly full moon days are believed sacred. Among them:

1. Janai Purnima
2. Yeya Purnima and
3. holy Purnima are celebrated joyfully.

Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Dec 18, 2011]

Janai Purnima

First day, a) Janai Purnima lies the 5th month of the year. First day people celebrate it. Scrubbing the house and house held materials, taking bath and wearing good clothes with sweet foods. On this occasion, Hindus change the thread which they are wearing for a year after incanting for it by Brahmins to protect by the evil spirit. Some people wear in the wrist which they unfasten and band to the cow's tail in the first festival of Tihar. i.e. Laxmi Puja believing that they could be success to cross the heaven ocean after his death. In this day people eat Kwati i.e. mixed of various grains and given it to the frog going to them rice planted field. Frogs are worshipped because there is a legend that a giant lived near the Kathmandu valley forest. He troubled the people by stealing the cattle and killing their children, so that people were afraid of him. One day a frog went closer and teased and scolds him again and again. He became very angry with that little creature and tried to catch it but a frog jumped one after another when he tried to catch it. At last, a frog went to the mud and a giant also went there. He dipped on the mud and could not get out of it. In this chance villagers thrown stones on him and killed the giant. So the frog is worshipped by the villagers. Lakhe, Giant mask dances are performed around the village with traditional music bands. The villagers who are happy to see the dance give some money to the dancer and collecting some grains and money they have dinner in the music house.? Second day, cow festival, in the memory of the death member, real cow or acting cows walk around the village as they are taking to graze. And milked on the way by actor of milkman. Some people make special type of rally with music singing the sorrowful words explaining the death and how much it hurted to the living members and wished to reach the heaven. Some people disguised as they liked to make laugh the hurted people so that they might be forgotten the grief. Cow festival is valuable to common people also. The law of the land provided freedom and the lose characters to satire, condemn against the government and higher officer for their bad service to the country. The cartoonists make various bad cartoons to tease the bad characters on the field of justice, film, business, politics and so many other fields. Third day, Swimming Festival, it is mentioned above that goddess Harisiddhi is bringing from the Phulchoki forest as they were flying from the heaven to perform the dance in the forest. In the same way they come down to swim in the pond. There is a pond before the Harisiddhi temple. All of the musical band of Harisiddhi present near the temple and priests one by one come down from the temple wearing sacred clothes as wings and certain person collects that sacred clothes near the pond and swim with their wearing clothes one by one. At last, a person carrying the head of a buffalo swims and then common people are allowed to swim. Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Dec 22, 2011]

Yeya Purnima

Yeya Purnima lies in the 6th months of the year. This festival is prolonged from Malla dynasty Pratap Malla noted in the history book. But it is believed that this festival is prevailing from many years ago. Once the mother of heaven king Indra needs some flowers to worship. To fulfill mother's requirement Indra himself came down to the earth and plucked the flowers in a garden. The people caught as a thief and bind him. Many people from neighbor villages came to see the thief and some people said to rescue him knowing the king and rescued him that he is the god of rain. Since then the custom to bind a thief on a wooden pole is prevailed. If the Indra is happy, there will be enough rain for crops. So, he is worshiped on this festival. This festival proceeds in three stage. a) Distribution of snacks b) Worship the Indra and c) Horse dance

A. Distribution of snacks : A kind of snacks with beaten rice, green vegetables, soya bean, ginger, pieces of meat, etc. are distributed by the villagers each other in the memory of their past families, local wine and rice-beer also served.

B. Worship the Indra : In the evening all musical band of the village gather outside the southern gate. The youth (male, female) with modern dresses to attract each other, who are on the stage of marriage liked to show their youth appearance appeared in the function. Three main priests of Harisiddhi goddess lead the function in a queue. Females appear in new fashion with various ornaments to make good look. This is the chance to do so. Behind a queue, music band follow with local attractive songs. The function continues up to midnight with local attractive songs. The function continues up to midnight. The local government VDC family welcomes the participants at the southern gate. The jatra ended in front of Harisiddhi temple. The participated music bands are offered some tips by VDC. There are 18 traditional music bands. Among them 8 are of different musical band which produce 8 different music plays.

C. Horse dance : After the completion of the jatra (procession) certain music group brings horse dance acting kings and queens of historical Nepal. Small boys and girls act on it. So, it is very interesting. They sing the old song describing the situation how the Harisiddhi is established, when the king managed the dance and why? Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Jan 3, 2012]

Yomari Purnima / Holy Purnima

Yomari Purnima lies in the 9th month whereas holy Purnima lies in the 11th or last month. Yomari a kind of bread prepared with rice powder putting molasses inside it. It is baked with steam.

Holy Purnima is the main festival of this village. Relatives are invited in this festival. The mask dance of the god and goddess of Harisiddhi demonstrated on those two Purnimas. Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Jan 11, 2012]

External links

• UN map of the municipalities of Lalitpur District