Lalitpur, September 11

After 19 years, Navadurga Bhawani Devi Naach of Thechho, will be performed from Thechho to Patan Durbar Square during Dashain.

The dance, which used to be performed only during the Dashain and the Yomari Punhi (festivals of Newars) will be held this year with the effort of Navadurga Bhawani Devi Naach Conservation Committee of Thechho, Yala Sanskritik Parba Conservation Committee of Patan and Lalitpur Metropolitan City.

“After 19 years, we are planning to observe the Navadurga Naach from Thechho to Patan and we have been arranging things and preparing for the dance before Dashain,” said Basant Mali, president of Navadurga Bhawani Devi Naach Conservation Committee.

Navadurga Naach used to be performed in the main chowk of  Patan Durbar Square. “Because of problems in the guthi, the naach had been stopped. Now, it will gain continuity with this effort,” he said.

According to Harma Raj Mali, guru of Navadurga Bhawani Devi Guthi, the naach of Thechho was performed since the Malla dynasty. “The dance needs to be taken to Patan because there is direct link between Navadurga Bhawani of Thechho and the ‘Mu Agan Dhyo’ (main goddess) of Patan ‘Taleju Bhawani’. There is a tradition of Navadurga of Thechho praying with Taleju Bhawani three times and offering garland along with the naach of Bhairav, Kali and Barahi.” He further added that for this, the guthi has to take Taleju Bhawani out and provide necessary amount of fund to sacrifice goat, sheep, he-buffalo etc.

“We have been requesting Lalitpur Municipality to provide financial support to organise the naach smoothly,” said Basant. He said, because of inability to start the naach for a long time, most of the guthiyar have forgotten the naach and are unwilling to participate in it due to neglect. “For the naach, we require 34 dancers, musicians and helpers. We still lack 12 people for the naach and we are searching for them.”

Niraj Rajopadhya, priest of Taleju temple said that after the Lichhavi period, organising other festivals of Patan had become problematic. Other festivals too are linked with the Navadurga Naach which has been extinct till this period. He said, the local government should pay heed to the protection and preservation of tradition and festivals of Patan.

Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiribabu Maharjan said necessary support for organising the naach will be provided by the LMC. He said, “We are ready to support the tradition. The guthi should prepare the naach and necessary materials for it.”