Madhav Narayan Festival and Swasthani Brata Katha: Month long festival in Bhaktapur

Among the different faces of Lord Vishnu, Madhav Narayan refers to one who is worshipped during the month of Magh. Every year, thousands of devotees reach the premises of Hanuman Ghat of Bhaktapur, Municipality-7 to witness a Barta (Fasting for a day), dedicated to Lord Madhav Narayan. Swasthani Brata Katha starts from Paush Shukla Poornima (Full Moon Day) to Magh Shukla Poornima.

Month-long worship to the God Madhav Narayan is also done in Sankhu which is based on the story of Swasthani. But the experience in Bhaktapur is a little bit different than in Sankhu.

rayan Barta at Bhaktapur / Mohan Prasad Prajapati ( Photocare )

During the event, devotees wake up early in the morning, most likely before sunrise, have a holy bath in the nearby river, and stay still for some time in the water. They get up from that water sheet only after a priest finishes his Mantra Japas. Approximately after 4-5 minutes later.

Silamantulegu

Though the processor seems quite unusual like rolling down up to the river yet it is soulfully practised in Bhaktapur. That practice where the devotees roll down to the river is called Silamantulegu.

Likewise, some of them practice Madulyau, where they lie done to the earth but in an extra form. If we talk about it in a simple way, then it is Sastanga Namaskar that they follow in each proceeding step. This might also be a way to show the world that yes, Bhaktapur unquestionably is the city of devotees.

nd up above all these things, there is a thing that this Barta (fast) is observed mostly by the male devotees rather than the women. The female devotees are more up to have fast in the bank of the Salinadi river rather than in Hanuman ghat. However, most of them are seen participating in different events here too.

The Hanumanghat or the Hanumante river

The Hanumante River is an important tributary of the Bagmati River though the significant sources of water in the Hanumante River are rainfall and natural springs. It is said that this river has been the major natural waterway in the Bhaktapur district.

Remember, the Mahadev Pokhari of Nagarkot, Bhaktapur. The pond is also mentioned in another article named Luhiti. It is believed that the water source of Luhiti of Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the same pond.

Hanumanghat has also been on the list of one important Ghats in Kathmandu Valley, seeing its terms of religious importance for the cremation of the deceased.

The journey of the idol of Madhav Narayan

The Barta and festival regarding Madhav Narayan are not only done in Sakhu and Bhaktapur but also have immense importance in Lalitpur. Despite that, the journey of Madhav Narayan is concluded in different cities including Panauti, Pharping, Pashupatinath of Kathmandu, Hanuman ghat, and Changunarayan of Bhaktapur.

There are different processes and routes followed by different cities regarding this journey of Madhav Narayan’s idol. Like the idol of Madhav Narayan of Sakhnu is carried and roam toward Pashupatinath, Shees Narayan of Pharping, Hanuman ghat, Changunarayan, Pananti, and then return back to Sankhu.

But the procession from Bhaktapur does not cover all these places and follows the same segments. The devotees along with the idol of Madhav Narayan travel to other pilgrims such as Pashupatinath, Panauti, and Changu, all by foot but it does not cover the pilgrim like shes Narayan of Pharping.

The detailed schedule of the journey is provided below which might give you an idea about the cavalcade.

Rituals and segments of the Madhav Narayan Barta, in an aspect of Bhaktapur,

If you walk nearby the Hanumante Khola or ghat by the first day of the Swasthani Barta, you can observe some people wearing white dhoti standing or lying on the bank of the river. This site solely makes the Barta of Madhav Narayan unique in Bhaktapur.

The devotees eat only one time a day i.e, in the evening. They prepare a sweet dish by themself named Kheer and have it.

 

Oct. 5, 2024, 5:19 a.m.

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