KATHMANDU: On Asoj Shukla Panchami, the living Goddess Kumari has paid her yearly visit to Pachali Bhairab. For the people of Kathmandu, this occurrence is significant because it represents the idea that Kumari gains power from her relationship with Bhairab.
Tuesday night, following a colorful procession that started at the Pachali Peeth in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-12, Kumari was brought to Hanuman Dhoka. Special musical instruments are used to accompany this ceremonial trek, which honors the local cultural legacy.
The parade passed through several inner city districts, including Teku, Lagan, Jyabahal, Maru, Hanumandhoka, Dalachhi, Shwetbhairav, and Yangal. Every stop along the route has significance for the participants' cultures and spiritualities.
In Teku, the site of Bhairab’s establishment, it is claimed that this deity works to ward off bad spirits and safeguard the residents of the Kathmandu Valley. The celebration places a strong emphasis on the community's need for heavenly defense and cultural persistence.
Bhairav Jatra is the most significant occasion for the Newar community in Kathmandu. In addition to exhibiting religious devotion, the event fosters a sense of camaraderie among attendees.
Shyam Krishna Khadgi, a ward member of Kathmandu Metropolitan-12, believes that the Jatra will stop when Bhairab returns to Teku. This last act is necessary to guarantee the completion of the festival's ceremonial cycle.
The Kathmandu Valley's cultural ties are reinforced by the celebration of Kumari's journey to Pachali Bhairab, which emphasizes the connection between spirituality, tradition, and group cohesion in Newar culture.
