Bhaktapur, August 3

A month-long Gunla festival, one of the major festivals of the Newar Buddhist community began from today.

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

A fair is held at Swayambhu during the festival.The Swayambhunath Area Development Committee has made arrangements of medical and drinking water facilities for the convenience of devotees visiting the Swayambhunath Stupa to observe the fair, committee general secretary Mahendra Ratna Buddhacharya said.

According to culture expert Hari Ram Joshi, devotees visit Changunarayan,  Bangalamukhi, Swayambhunath, Bijeshwori, Shova Bhagwati, Maruganesh, Janabahal, Suryabinayak and Dattatraya temples during the holy month. On the last day of the festival they visit Bungamati, Karyabinayak, Jalbinayak and Adityanath temples.

“Our cultural traditions are on the verge of extinction. However, such festivals bring the old and the new generation together,” said Asta Ram Prajapati, a local of Madhyapur Thimi. “The government should promote and protect such festivals,” he added.

He also said that they were not able to use all musical instruments during the festival due to lack of funds. “This year Madhyapur Municipality has provided us Rs, 70,000 to celebrate the festival,” he said.