In the Nepal Period calendar, also known as Nepal Sambat, the tenth month of the year is called Gunla. This month holds critical otherworldly significance, especially for the Newar community as it is Gunla Festival. All through Gunla, numerous Newar families make a everyday journey to the Swayambunath Stupa, a respected Buddhist location in Kathmandu. In arrangement for this heavenly period, different music bunches over the Kathmandu Valley start their practices a month in development. This planning underscores the festival’s significance, particularly for Buddhists dwelling in the memorable cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
A month-long Gunla Festival
Gunla is not a single day but a month-long celebration, beginning five days some time recently the recognition of Naag Panchami and expanding through the whole month. Amid this time, Buddhists lock in an otherworldly travel by going by various cloisters. These incorporate well-known locales like Namo Buddha, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Bajrayogini, and different other noteworthy and smaller Buddhist sanctuaries scattered over the locale. Each visit is an opportunity for reflection and dedication, contributing to the generally otherworldly encounter of the festival.
Significance of Gunla Festival
The beginning of Gunla are steeped in traditional beliefs that date back to ancient times. In the past, the monsoon season would bring excessive rainfall, leading to the destruction of mud houses, as well as causing floods and landslides. These natural disasters often resulted in significant hardship and suffering for the people. To mitigate the impacts of these calamities and to seek protection from the adverse effects of the rains, communities would gather at Swayambhu. Here, they would play devotional music and engage in religious practices. The elevated position of Swayambhu offered a symbolic refuge from the troubles brought by the monsoon, serving as a sanctuary where people could find solace and safety.
Gunla Festival as Sacred Month with Community and Tradition
Gunla’s recognition reflects a deep social and devout commitment inside the Newar community and the broader Buddhist population of Kathmandu Valley. It is a time for both communal and individual otherworldly development, where the collective endeavors to take an interest in ceremonies and supplications offer assistance to reinforce community bonds and personal confidence. The music and pilgrimage are not merely traditions but are integral to the way Gunla is celebrated, reinforcing its significance as a period of reflection, devotion, and communal harmony.
