Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Deepanjali Pradhan (First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok , 2024) After hearing the word “ Bhoto Jatra ” people might think that the Newar people are crazy for celebrating the festival of the vest. What is so important about the vest? It is important to know what a bhoto jatra is and why it is celebrated. Well, there are no such festivals in newa community which does not explain the existence and the importance of any festivals, traditions, and rituals.   So here goes the story for celebrating “ Bhoto Jatra”. According to the legend, it is said that “ Once the wife of Karakal Nagraj had an eye disease which was not getting cured even after doing so many medications. There lived a farmer ( Jyapu ) who said that he can heal her eye problem and Nagraj let him try. Then the farmer rubbed on his body with his hand and collected the dirt and put it in the eyes of Nagraj’s wife. After which his wife was instantly cured, seeing to which Nagraj was overjoyed and rewarded the...

This was my first visit to the Bhimsen Mandir , the temple of our Kul Devta . Located at Bhimsen Sthan on the way to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu , this old wooden, three-story temple is a heritage structure. A small staircase on the right side of the historic temple leads to the second floor, where the idol of Bhimsen is enshrined. A purohit applies a red tika to the forehead of each devotee as a blessing from the deity. The atmosphere is serene and spiritually uplifting, filled with the devotion of visitors who come to pay their respects. The intricate wooden carvings and the historical significance of the mandir add to its charm, making it a must-visit for those seeking to connect with their cultural roots and spirituality.

Gangtok, 01.03.22 : Sikkim Newar Guthi, Gangtok, Sikkim, India was awarded the “Sudarshan Kapila Sirpa” award at Biratnagar, Nepal on February 25, 2022. The award was presented by “Jhi Pucha '' Non-Government Organization, Biratnagar, Nepal from the hands of Hon’ble Chief Minister Rajendra Kumar Rai, Pradesh No. 1, Nepal. Earlier the same award was offered to Dr Sathyaman Joshi (Fathers of Newars) by Jhi Pucha, Biratnagar. The reason for the selection of this highly honoured award to SNG was because for 3 decades Sikkim Newar Guthi dedicatedly worked in the preservation and conservation of Newar Language, Culture and Traditions in Sikkim, India. The programme was organized by Jhi Pucha under the leadership of Hari Bahadur Shrestha, President, Jhi Pucha, Shri Sudarshan and Mrs Kapila Shrestha, Founder Sudarshan Kapila Trust, and dedicated executive bodies. From Sikkim total of 19, Central Executive Committee Members attended the felicitation programme from different places of Si...

सिक्किम राज्यकै प्रथम सामूहिक सकि मिला पुन्हि पर्व गत तारिख १९ नभेम्बार २०२१ पूर्व सिक्किमको डुगा शाखा नेवा: गुठीले भरपूर श्रद्धाको साथमा पालन गर्यो। पर्वलाई पालन गर्ने क्रममा खरसाङबाट आमन्त्रित पुजनीय गुरुजू श्री अलंकार शाक्य बज्राचार्यले यस पर्वको औचित्यबारे प्रकाश पार्नु हुँदै नेवार समुदाय एक प्रकृति-पूजक जनजाति हुन्, नेवा:हरुले यो पर्व आश्विन शुक्ल पुर्णिमाको रातिदेखि कार्तिक पूर्णिमासम्म मुख्य रूपमा पिँडालु लगायत अन्य कन्दमुल अनि भुटेको मकै, गेडा-गुडी, गहुँ आलु इत्यादि यहीबेला नेवा: नयाँ सालको प्रथम पूर्णिमाको साँझ देउतालाई चढाई खाने चलन रहेको जानकारी गराउनु भयो। नेवा: भाषामा 'सकि' र 'पिडालु' दुई शब्दको समास शब्द हो ' सकि' भन्नाले पिडालु र ' तिमिला' भन्नाले पूर्ण चन्द्रमा बुझिन्छ यसरी पिडालु चढाउने पुर्णिमा भएकोले यसलाई सकि मिला पनि भनिन्छ। 'सकि' (पिडालु) र 'मना'(उसिन्नु) भएकोले उसिनेको पिंडालु र तरुल देवतालाई चढाउने 'सकिमना' पनि भनिन्छ। साथै गेडा-गुडीहरु भुटेर चढाउने भएकोले हालिमालि पनि भनिन्छ। आयोजक समिति अनुसार नेवाः संस...

Singtam, September 05: Members of Newa Bhay Bowneykutti, Singtam Newar Guthi met together for a general meeting. Highlight of the short gathering was to felicitate the teacher members of NBB, joining of new members, presentation of financial report of last two years and discussion of future plans of the organization. DK Pradhan, Secretary, Culture Wing, NBB was the chairperson of the meeting. Advisors, Executive members and other members of NBB were present on the occasion. DK Pradhan, Ravi Pradhan, Ajit Pradhan, Shital Pradhan and Dilu Pradhan were offered khadas by LN Pradhan, Chief Advisor and others as a mark of respect to the Teacher’s Day.   Those teachers too spoke on the occasion. Seven new families became the official members of Newa Bhay Bowneykutti, they were offered khadas and welcomed at the organization by DK Pradhan, Chairperson of the day. Ravi Pradhan, Treasurer, NBB read out the financial reports of the organization for the 2019-2010 and 2020-2021. He also info...

My articles of Newar 1.  Singtam Sakha: Towards new horizon - i 2.  Goddess Kumari: the legends of its origin- i 3.  Goddess Kumari: the legends of its origin- ii 4.  Interview of the week: Singaraj Newar – World War II veteran from Sikkim 5.  The only photograph of Taksari Chandrabir Pradhan 6.  Sikkim has its first Bhimsen Maharaj Mandir at Rongli 7.  Badhaichha Creation brings “NEWA” on Indra Jatra 8.  Tanishka Pradhan's Beli Biwaha 9.  Where a Newari girl marries a Bael fruit? 10.  Lakhey Dance makes debut at Singtam 11.  Historic first Youth Convention of Sikkim Newa held 12.  Singtam celebrates Indra Jatra 13.  Singtam Sakha Guthi celebrates Kwati Punhi; felicitates International Medalist Bhawika Pradhan 14.  Jighu Saa, an annual magazine of Singtam Sakha Guthi officially released 15.  Bhimsen Temple, Bhimsen Sthan, Kathmandu

14.07.21 : Interaction session of members of Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi with Newa Gubaju Shree Alankar Kr. Pradhan and trainee Gubaju Suman Pradhan was held at Nepali Dharamsala today. Important matter of discussion was held regarding upliftment of newa culture.    A short program was held where Binod Pradhan, President, NBB initiated a group discussion. Alankar Guruji cleared different misconception placed by the NBB members regarding Newa Culture information. On the same program, Meritious Educational Grant cheque was presented to Pravesh Pradhan and Ishmita Pradhan from the hand of Guruji. The sponsors of the grant were LN Pradhan and Bharat Pradhan.    

Indra Jatra's celebration over the years had brought every newar family of Sikkim under one roof. It was that one-day entire newar population within the state anxiously waits. But this year the Covid-19 pandemic had a different plan for everyone. This August 31, we have the Indra Jatra but it will be silently observed without the red-black-white coloured masses of devotees.   Sikkim Newar Guthi completed the 25 th year of its formation last year and on this big occasion; I wish to share the history of my home town Singtam’s Newa Sakha, its origin, and stories so far. The term 'Singtam Sakha' started in the early 90s and over the years it has its own narrative. Blessed by Goddess Kumari and God Indra, the newars of Singtam are among the emerging Sakhas who hold promises to make the Newars of Sikkim, a proud family.   The establishments of the Singtam bazaar date back to the late 1880s and with each decade passing by the people of Singtam had collectively come toge...

Myth about Legend of Nepal published in 2010 by writer Jnan Kaji Manandhar writes about two legends related to the origin of Kumari. One such story says, there used to be a Yantra , a mystical diagram endowed with miraculous spiritual powers of goddess Taleju. The legend says the first Kumari arrived at the valley of Kathmandu in the form of Yantra. In those days, the king could talk to the Kumari (Yantra), seek advice and directions regarding administration guidance. Once the lid of the mystical Yantra was let open, that made the royal girl disappear forever. The king was very sad; he could not talk with the Yantra. With days passing by the King was in his deep sorrow. One night in a dream, the goddess appeared and told him to install a virgin girl from the Sakya caste and she will immerse in her body. Then the king could talk to her as a Kumari. The other version says that one Malla King used to play dice with the goddess Kumari. At one instance, the king was infatuated with t...

Ten years back on my first visit to the Indra Jatra festival at Zero Point, Gangtok I happened to see a photo frame of a small girl in a red costume significantly distinct from other girls of her age with the painted third eye on her forehead. That was my first day with Indra Jatra, Newar’s biggest festival at Sikkim, and of course with the goddess Kumari, which in 2011 was declared a Government Holiday by the State Government of Sikkim.  The festival highlighted the pulling off of a chariot by the devotees with a photo frame of Goddess Kumari on it that was moved through the streets of Gangtok from Zero Point to MG Marg. The chariot was led by masked dancers with faces of deities in honour of God Indra and a long procession of Newar devotees. Getting back to the story of Kumari, it is said there are eleven living goddesses known as Kumari in Nepal. The Kumari of Kathmandu also known as the Royal Kumari is considered to be the most significant and largely followed by the Newa...

(Information collected from TB Pradhan and Binod Pradhan) ( The term Singtam Sakha started in early 90s and over the years it has its own narrative. Blessed by Goddess Kumari and God Indra, the newars of Singtam are among the emerging Sakhas who holds promises to make the Newars of Sikkim, a proud family.) In the grand occasion of the 25 th anniversary of the formation of Sikkim Newar Guthi, with the rest of Sikkim, the newars of Singtam too unite to recollect their efforts and hard work towards the development of the Newar community. Those were the sweet and sour memories that went on to build up today’s organisation strong and brought the newars of Singtam under one umbrella. The establishment of the Singtam bazaar date back to the late 1880s and with each decade passing by the people of Singtam had collectively come together in all social causes with other communities to build up a better society. The initial years of Bhanu Jayanti celebrations, Independence Day celebr...