"Everyone loves festivals, but when the reason behind the ritual associated with it becomes problematic, the charm gradually fades. This is what out readers emphasise on"

All celebrations enjoyed in the subcontinent are performed with modifications in the West by the diaspora. It is not possible to follow the exact calendar dates due to the highly regularised work schedule followed across all western democracies. Hence, all major socio-cultural and religious festivals are celebrated by the subcontinent diaspora representing all major faiths on the weekends or more accommodatingly in the long weekends. The priest may drive/travel long distance from one city to perform the ritual in another. All such celebrations are usually attended by people from all faiths giving these religious celebrations a unique mixture of cultural solidarity among the diaspora members in the US, Canada, EU, Australia, and New Zealand. Temples, mosques and gurdwaras hold special prayers on the auspicious days followed in different religions and usually cater to anyone who wishes to drop by and participate in these festivities. There is no provision for idol immersion due to strict environmental regulations; and hence the same idol is usually worshipped every year and kept in the temples. Although there is departure from the traditional religious protocols, there is a mass unity of different hearts in such festivities.

— Saikat Kumar Basu, Lethbridge AB, Canada

Teej, a festival in which the wives show their love and respect to their husbands, has now sadly become a mere fashion show. Wearing red colour dress may be a ritual but this competition of showing off expensive and extravagant dresses and jewelleries is a sad trend nowadays.

Once we were unable to buy a new sari for Teej for our mother. Due to the ‘festive competition’, my mother became extremely ashamed to go out wearing an old sari and bear other women’s sarcasms. I convinced her for hours and then held her hand and walked beside her to the temple. This to an extent alleviated her shame and fear. Finally she was able to carry out the rituals for the real reason — to pray for her husband’s long life.

— Rahul Upadhyay, Birgunj, Murli

As humans we adopt different cultures, traditions, rites, rituals, et cetera in our society for our livelihood and survival. And festivals are one such which we celebrate for the existence of our cultures. Generally, festivals are termed as those traditions that resemble our glory and identity through our simplicity and understanding, cooperation, harmony among one another in our community. Thus, festivals have good aspects and drawbacks. Besides its importance and benefits, in the context of Nepal these days modern generation has made our cultures, traditions and festivals uncivilised rather than perfect. Fasting in our culture is considered a prominent part, but I think it’s not good as we eat heavy meal before fasting and then keep our stomachs empty leading to health problems.

— Deepa Adhikari, Pokhara

It is an undeniable fact that festivals are a source of rejoicing, but all the practices in festivals are not practical. Being a part of this society, we can neither follow such practices nor condemn it. Being a son of the so-called high caste, I often face such situations like the day before Janai Purnima it is believed that all Brahmins should go bald. We can neither become bald nor follow the ritual. In such a situation I usually cover my head and enjoy the festival.

Similarly during Teej, women in our society fast. To cope with this situation, I prepare something delicious and aromatic so that it attracts the women to avoid worse health condition. In case of Dashain, they say pancha bali is important, (sacrificing five animals namely he-goats, male buffalo, sheep, hen, and duck) and offer the blood to goddess Kali. We being vegetarians, give pancha bali of coconuts, carrots, pumpkins, water melons, and long melon instead. So, there are a number of practices in many festivals that we need to modify partially without losing the positive aspect and its values.

— Nirmal Aryal, Jitpurfedi, Tarkeshwor-7, Kathmandu

I reside in Kalaiya and about 14 km from this place, there is a village named Bariyarpur. In that village there is a temple — Gadimai Temple. Once every five years, there is a big fair held in which pilgrims visit. We all enjoy celebrating this festival. But in this festival, in the name of respecting Gadimai, many animals like buffalo, rats et cetera are sacrificed. People call it their religion but actually they kill more than 10,000 animals in this festival without mercy. The animals are even imported from other countries for the purpose of sacrificing. There is no one to stop this act and whoever tries to stop this killing is not treated properly. People following this so-called religion say that anyone going against this religion will face the wrath of Gadimai. Unwillingly we are following this tradition. Killing those animals in the name of respect is blind faith.

— Shilpi Agrawal, Kalaiya-5

There is significance of every festival in the sense that everything has positive aspects. I feel that festivals have always been favourable in keeping family members and relatives in touch. But due to modernisation, the value of festivals has inclined towards negativity. For example, we celebrate Shivaratri so that Lord Shiva will give strength to all, but people misuse this festival thinking that ghanja and bhaang are the blessing of the lord.

— Apsara Katuwal

Teej is the greatest festival of women which has been practised for more than 100 years. But up to this phase, the old practices have been replaced by modern trends. For example, classical songs have been replaced by modern songs which is not related to women’s problems (originally which used to be). Also the cuisine eaten as daar at home is relished in hotels. In other words, if such practices continue in the near future, we will forget our actual culture. It will create a problem. So, to handle this the government should implement strict rules and regulations. Thus, people will not forget our culture and practice in generations.

— Sushant Parajuli, Pokhara-2, Bindhabasini

I have faced such a situation many times and the most unforgettable situation was in Teej. We all know the significance of Teej, but I think these days women are celebrating just because it is practised since generations. Once I had to fast during Teej and everyone forced me to do so after my first menstruation, so that year I fasted but handled it by eating one kilo apples as fruits were allowed.

— Sangita Mijar, Nuwakot

Observing festivals and celebrating it whole heartedly is a part of our culture. Humans live in the society and have certain values, beliefs, faiths, norms and cultures which guide their way of living. But there exists some ill-practices in these festivals which should be gradually discarded.

During my school days, we had to fast for Panchami puja. It was such that all females after her first menstruation ought to take the fast. Early in the morning we had to go to the river in a group of females including mother, grandmother, sister, and other villagers and observe a very different style of bathing using dattiwan as a brush and different kinds of muds in various parts of the body including genitals. It used to be an entertaining time while bathing in the river though I was hesitant and would promise myself that that was my last bath in the river.

After finishing my graduation, I started teaching. Then I started making excuses that I should not miss school. As it would take the whole morning in the river, I started taking a short bath in the bathroom and continued my duty. Eventually I was successful in my plan.

— Bhawana Poudel, Baneshwor, Kathmandu

Teej is the festival of women, in which they sing their sorrows, problems faced at their in-laws’. With songs they tried to forget their pain and danced with their friends and family. There were times when married women were not allowed to go to their parents’ house so they had to wait for Teej to go to their parents’. But today the meaning has changed somehow.

Women used to eat daar only a day prior to Teej but today they eat daar for months by gathering with their friends and family in a party palace. They celebrate Teej for a month. In the past Teej was one of the mediums to share their pain and sorrows because there was no medium of communication. So Teej became their solicitation. The songs of that time was very mournful and if someone listened they would start crying but today the songs of Teej are different. Due to this importance of Teej is decreasing.

— Sonika Lamichhane

Dashain is also a festival for family union. Three years ago, I was preparing for entrance exams for Physics of Masters level so a group of friends decided to stay in Kathmandu for the preparation. But when the grand celebration of tika approached and I was called from home throughout the day. I had to change my decision and flee home the next day of tika in an overloaded bus. It still surprises me how we are bound to traditional beliefs to the extent of neglecting our priorities.

— Thirendra Kumar Subedi, Kalyan-5, Surkhet

Belonging to a Brahmin community, we have to follow a lot of festivals which are not always practical in the name of festivals. For example, we have a festival where we are supposed to worship our kuldevta. In this festival, all the males of our community are supposed to be half-clothed, with bare feet and are supposed to jump. If a male doesn’t take part in this ritual, he is said to be unworthy of being in the community and he has to face a kind social-discrimination.

Just imagine — is it always practical? No, if a man is ill or has any of the other problem how can he jump here and there on bare feet?

This types of practises are often said to be practised from the past and we are not supposed to break those. So, as a child from that community I often continued that puja but I am planning to speak about it in the near future when those so-called social-eyes will stop eyeing me as a child.

— Pawan Lamsal, Pokhara

Nepal is a country which has its own customs, traditions and diversity. Though it is small in size we find different cultures and festivals around the country. We feel proud that we are rich in different festivals. We celebrate lots of festivals throughout the year and it signifies our identity. Festivals tie up us with harmony and love. Though we participate in different festivals but in some cases we find festivals ridiculous as they are not practical.

Dashain is regarded as the greatest festival in Nepal. People from different parts gather to celebrate the festivals. Tika and jamara are the essential in Dashain. Besides lots of joy and happiness, in these festivals lots of animals are sacrificed to Goddess Durga to fulfil the individual’s wishes. We can see such a situation in different temples during Nawaratri. Voices have been raised against the system of sacrificing animals in the name of festivals, unfortunately it has not been properly managed.

— Asit Baral, Pokhara-7, Masbar

It was Teej three years ago when I was in first semester of engineering and we had to attend classes during this festival. I had been regularly fasting since Class VIII but during that Teej, I fainted while on road as I was dehydrating and was exhausted. It was one of the unusual and weird occurrences due to the cultural practice of Teej. I realised our culture and tradition cannot move forward without our own healthy life.

— Sangita Bhandari, Simpani-8, Lamjung

Belonging to a Newar community we celebrate multiple festivals within two to three months for no reason. Recently, we celebrated a festival called Chatha. I knew nothing about this festival until I looked through it on the Internet. I asked my mother but she couldn’t clearly describe the occasion. Chatha is a festival observed in the month of Bhadra. In Nepal, it is mostly celebrated by Newars. This festival is also known as Ganesh Chaturthi (celebrated in a different ways in India). During this festival we worship the moon. The story among our elders is that once Ganesh went to steal some fruits from the garden of Indra and the moon saw him stealing fruits and complained to Indra. So people worship moon on the evening to excuse Ganesh and ask Indra to release him. We ate the seed of the pear which is traditionally compulsory to eat. This festival doesn’t seem so practical but it’s followed by our elders so I had to follow it too. It is also believed that if family gather during this day their reunion will be in Dashain. That is why Chatha is taken quite seriously.

— Bkings Bajracharya

In every festival we have unique practice. Such practice has special significance and importance. But all of them are not quite easy and scientific to follow. In Dashain we sacrifice animals in the name of God. This is not a good practice, but it can’t be stopped because God is connected with it. In every Dashain I will be arguing with my family members not to do so. But they never listen to me. Basically my grandparents won’t agree with me.So for such behaviour our single effort can’t bring the change. If some great priest of related religion said the same then it could be minimised and agreed by the devotes perhaps.

— Ashok Wagle, Banepa

Nepali culture is rich with tremendous festive days holding their own norms and values. The practice of such celebration of festivals have been handed over from one generation to another. Hence, time demands modification and practicality as every action demands cause. But sometimes there is no vivid reason behind the celebration of particular festival. Even though we practice them in the name of continuation. For example, the day after Teej we Newari people celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi or Chatha. On the very day we hide inside the room without shouting or talking in the evening for a couple of hours and eat various grains while some remain outside the room watching moon and worshipping it. When they complete worshipping they ring the bell of temple and say loudly that now you are free to come outside.

Every year I ask what is reason behind that. Yet I have never gotten a clear and satisfactory answer.

— Bhakta Laxmi Bhasima, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur

Sometimes any practice of a festival may not be practical, but we can’t stop following them. This creates trouble for all. Such situation occurred in my aunt’s life. Karva Chauth is a popular fast observed by married women for the good health and longevity of one’s husband. Many women observe it only to please their in-laws or to allay the subconscious fear that something may happen to their husbands if they don’t do it. My aunt was unable to fast due to health reasons but still she had to observe the fast. So, I tried to convince her in-laws that one’s love or devotion cannot be expressed only on an empty stomach. But to scale it down and concentrate on the prayers and puja instead of the other related preparations and rituals.

I told them we shouldn’t let festivals become a chore or an empty ritual. Instead, they need to be customised according to convenience and make it an enjoyable family activity which would please God more than all the lights, grandeur and offerings as it is well known that God expects only humanity, faith, and compassion from his devotees more than anything. Eventually, they agreed with me.

— Shubham Agrawal, Kolkata, India

Every festival has its own significance. Out of so many festivals being a member of Newar community I would love to explain about Ganesh Chaturthi (lies on the month of Bhadra) mainly called Chatha by the Newar community. In Newar community, this day has a great importance. According to our ancestors a day of Ganesh Chaturthi reflects the days of Dashain for example if it rains on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi then the days of Dashain would be rainy too and if it’s sunny then same would be the weather in Dashain. And if we perform puja and offer different dishes to the god on this particular day then our Dashain will be great as well. This practice, I feel is not practical because how can one predict the weather of the days in Dashain based on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi?

— Sujata Bajracharya, Gongabu-6

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Keeping animals as pets is a matter of choice and we cannot keep all kinds of animals as pets at home. But some do keep exotic pets at home away from their habitat. Do you think keeping animals as pets at home is good ? Or do you think animals are meant to be wild and free and not domesticated? Why?

­Send your replies in not more than 200 words by Friday,September 25 by 2:00 pm to Features, The Himalayan Times, e-mail: features@thehimalayantimes.com