Different Rituals in Newar

Pre Natal

There are many pre natal rituals, however majority of those : pusawan

kriya, simatopanayan, for example are no longer in existence.

Nevertheless, Dhau baji nakegu (offering yogurt and flattened rice along

with yomari, sweets etc) during pregnancy is still practiced by many

castes.

Birth

After child birth, it is informed to maternal home of the mother. It is done

by sending sugar candy, nutmeg, ginger etc. After the birth, concerned

family becomes ritually impure. They become pure after ‘Machaboo

byanke’ tradition which is done on forth, sixth or tenth day after the child

birth.

There is also a tradition of offering different kinds of foods from maternal

home of the mother within a month of delivery, which is known as ‘Baji

nakah wonegu’ or ’ Machaboo swahwanegu’.

Macha Janko (The rice feeding)

The rice feeding is done in 6th or 8th month (in case of a boy) and in 5th

or 7th month (in case of a girl). After worshipping Ganesh, the child is

offered rice pudding with verities of food. It is believed that the child gets

similar food throughout his life as the food offered on that day.

Busankha (Boys) Busankha means shaving of hair. it is done at the age of 5

or 6. Shaving of hair is done by the maternal uncle of the boy, sister of the

boy’s father holds the shaved hair. These days, busankha is done at the

time of ‘kayatapuja’.

Kayatapuja (Boys)

Kayatapuja or fixing of loin cloth is done to mark the attainment of

puberty. Bajracharya and Shakyas perform the tonsure ceremony,

Chudakarma. During this, one has to visit shrines and pay homage toKwahpahdyoh and make offerings. After kayatapuja, Jyapus and Sayamis

undergo Ohla (which is less practiced these days.)

Ihi (Girls)

IHi (Bel BIbaha) The most peculiar ritual followed among newar girl is ihi

(also ehee). Also known as bael byah, it is a symbolic marriage with a bael

(Aegle mermalous) fruit. This ritual is done among the girl between the

ages of four to eleven before reaching the period of puberty, where they

are married to lord Shiva that the fruit is kept in his place. Newar

community has invaded outside Nepal where the traditions are somewhat

lost but still it is found in every newar house that the Bael byah have been

made. This customary marriage is thought to be the most holy rituals in

this noble clan. With this marriage to the immortal lord the newar girl will

not follow widowhood when their husband passes away. It is believed that

even remarriage can be done.

At the day of ihi the place is cleaned and swabbed with cow dung and red

soil to make it pure. The ihi girl is bathed and does fasting for whole

daylong. The daughter of Brahmin is chosen to represent the fruit, she is

called locantee. The ceremony starts in the morning with the bali (killing)

of goat or a duck to lord Ganesha. Followers of Boudh newar never do the

killing and the poor one can do it with fried egg. Eight different flags

representing eight Devi are worshiped and immersed to the river. A pindah

for a bael fruit is made where bamboo root and grass is placed. (A pindah

is made of khir mixed with black teel and roundly molded) This is done to

please the ancestors of both his father and mother family.

The girl is brought to the puja site where yellow thread is measured from

head to feet for 108 times and thereafter a mala is made and given to the

girl. Water from the thakali, a water vase is taken by the pundit and

sprinkled over the ihi girl to make her pure. 84 different varieties of

vegetables are placed before the girl that she needs to taste the five and

remaining she will touch it and will be immersed in a holy place. This

ends the end of the first day.

The next morning cutting of nails is done followed by the polishing of the

nails. A piece of raw meat, little custard oil and some money are given tothe nauni, the person who cuts the nail. Nini of the girl collects the nails in

a copper plate, she too will be given money. Then the ihi girl is dressed in

red sari or chaubandha choli as a bride.

Sicha fhangu is a custom where the Brahmin girl, the locantee act as a lord

Shiva and with the stem of the bael fruit put the sindoor on the forehead of

the ihi girl. The girl is offered milk, dahi, fruits and others. Kanyadaan, a

hand of ihi girl is given to the hand of locantee to dedicate the girl to the

lord. In return the ihi girl touches the feet of locantee and washes her feet.

New clothes are offered to the ihi girl and three-fist ful rice. In some

ceremony both the ihi girl and the locantee are carried by the brothers and

made to move along the fire for three times. The pundit puts tika on the

forehead of the ihi girl and thereafter other too joins to bless the bride girl.

There is also tradition that the other family member and the relatives wash

the feet of the ihi girl and drink the water of the feet. Food is offered to all

the guests and the ihi ceremony end after this.

The bael fruit after the ceremony is kept safely or immersed to the river. It

is considered bad luck if the fruit get damage. Since the girl have already

wedded to the lord Shiva, after her marriage to another husband in her

later years she shall remain unchanged even she becomes a widow. She

shall always remain the wife of Lord Shiva at first instant.

An interesting tale has been found regarding the origin of the bael byah

that says, it was during the time of Ranas, the dignity of the newari girls

were under deep trouble. The Rana and his men used to follow the girls

and look with lusty eyes. It was this reason for the newar to save their

future generations they made a plan and married their children with the

bael fruit. Since this fruit is considered holy and found single that they

made the choice. The Ranas used to respect the married women so their

inhuman attitude towards the newari girls also changed. Since marrying

with a fruit saved the newari community for its existence the practice is

still prevalent.

Bahra (Girls)

After the ihi or the bael byah, next come the Bahra, a traditional rituals

confinement of a girl before the onset of menstruation. This ritual is donewhen a girl enters her youth. A girl after having undergone ihi is kept

separated from all makes and from sunlight for 12 days. She has to stay in

a dark room. On the 12th day the girl is purified and the function ends with

a Bhoj (traditional newari meal where all family members are present).

These rituals are of two types, Bahra tyagu and Bahra chauneygu. The first

ritual is performed before the start of menses. This is done between the

age of five and 13. More then one girl can follow the ritual but in case of

Bahra Chauneygu, only one girl has to undergo.

In both occasion a cave of cloths, Bahra Khayak is made and worshiped. It

is believed that the girl is under the evil possession. A separate meal for

the khayak is taken out from the meal of the caved girl. Salt is not used in

any of the meal and the girl is entertained with folk songs and dance

performed by her friends. For all the 12 days thakali naki, worships the

Khyak and will do all the girl work. She is the medium between the girl

and her family.

Till the 11 days the family members are considered impure but the

married sisters cannot be counted. On the 6th day, particular kerosene oil

is provided by the paju (Mama) that is put on the face by the women in the

family and finally putting it on the hair of the girl just ending the

consumption of salts.

It is only after the 11 days the girl is considered as pure and holy. It is

known as Nishi Yayagu. Then the girl pays homage to the sun god. She

will be bathed and will be blind folded. She is then taken to the open space

to have a Surya Darshan. During these rituals, thakali naki performs the

major role. She first worships the Ganesha and sun god. Fistful wheat seed

and rice is given to the girl that she throws backward. This is done for

three times. Sindoor is put on the forehead of the girl and new dress is

presented. The girl now can wear a sari, she is considered as women. In

respect to the seniority everyone bless the girl with a tika, made of pitho

and oil. The girl is then given Sagun (newari prasad), first to the ancestral

deity, then to other family members.

Each family member now considers that the girl is not mere child but has

now become an adolescent. Her introduction to menstruation is expectedand after the bhoj the rituals end.

Ihipa (Marriage)

Marriage in Newar culture is social union of two families. The parents

arrange marriage for their sons and daughters. After the groom’s and

bride’s families decision, the marriage is confirmed by giving 10 betel

nuts along with fruits, sweets etc (known as lakha) from groom’s family to

the bride.

Marriage ceremony is performed at the time scheduled by the astrologer.

Swayamber, Honkegu, Chipa Theeke (symbol of sharing everything) is

performed. Bride presents 10 betel nuts to all her family members. Brother

of her mother, paju, takes on his back and carries her out of the house. He

then presents her to the groom’s family.

The bride’s family visit the groom’s house on the 4th day , to see how the

bride is being treated , which is known as Khwah soye (seeing the bride’s

face).

Jyah Janko

 Jyah janko is old age ceremony to mark one’s longevity. It is

celebrated for five times.

First - Bhimratharohan - At the attainment of 77 years, 7 months, 7 days

Second - Chadraratharohan - At the attainment of 83 years, 4 months, 4

days

Third - Devaratharohan - At the attainment of 88 years, 8 months, 8 days

Forth - Divyaratharohan - At the attainment of 99 years, 9 months, 9 days

Fifth - Mahadivyaratharohan - At the attainment of 105 years, 8 months, 8

days

Sithan

As soon as a person dies, all the Guthi (social organisation) members are

informed. Four lamps are set around the four direction of the corpse. Mhagele, adoration of the corpse is marked. Funeral procession is

accompanied with Nayahkhin drum followed by a lot of people wailing

and crying. Cremation is different in different castes.

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