Bhaktapur, July 21

Preparations for a month-long Gunla festival, a major festival of the Newar Buddhist community, have been completed. The festival this year begins from July 24.

During the festival, Newar Buddhists recite scriptures, observe fast and visit places of worship, playing devotional music.

According to the Gunla Festival Management Committee, this time the festival is going to be observed after seven years.

Committee chairman Jit Lal Manandhar informed that Newar Buddhists have been observing the festival since ancient times. The community observe the festival from Gunlatho to Yalatho, i.e. from July 24 to August 22, by performing various cultural and traditional activities.

According to Ram Krishna Manandhar, secretary of the committee, the festival not only belongs to the Newar Buddhist community but also holds historical significance for all Nepalis living across the country.

People of different age groups, ranging from five to 80 years of age, participate in this festival, playing nine different kinds of traditional musical instruments.

During the festival, the devotees only eat once a day without having salt. They travel to all Chaityas, Gumbas, Bihars, and also Hindu shrines praying to Dhanla and other deities for one month.

Manandhar said the cost of organising the festival this year stood at Rs 900,000 of which Rs 130,000 were collected from committee members while the remaining would be managed through donations.