Temal Jatra celebrated in Bouddha (Seven photos)

Kathmandu. KATHMANDU — The Tamang community in Kathmandu celebrated the Temal Jatra with historical and religious significance with religious fervour on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima. Celebrated every year on the occasion of Chaitra Purnima in Boudha, Swayambhunath and Namobuddha areas, this festival is associated with the religious and cultural identity of the Tamang community. According to the tradition, this Jatra is believed to have started from the Temal area of Kavre, in which there is a tradition of lighting lamps and worshiping the departed relatives wishing for peace of their souls.

On the occasion of Jatra, devotees light Chhyomi (lamps) in the premises of Buddhist stupas and perform ‘Ngo’ puja in the name of the deceased. A special ‘Ngowa Monlam’ puja was also performed under the leadership of the Lama Gurus.

According to Tamang rituals, it is customary to keep the ashes of the deceased at home and worship them by lighting lamps. According to the same tradition, on the day of Chaitra Purnima, the devotees go to Balaju Baisdhara to bathe in Bouddha and then go to Swayambhu and light a lamp to cool the ashes. It is believed that by worshiping in this way, the soul of the deceased will get peace and go to heaven. The festival that begins on the evening of Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi attracts people from Tamang community from various districts of the country including Makwanpur, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk and other districts. On the morning of the full moon day, the Jatra concludes after taking a bath at Balaju Baisdhara and worshiping at Swayambhu.