Hadigaun’s Gahana Khojne Jatra, captivated locals and tourists on Wednesday. This unique festival, celebrated by the Newar community, centers around the search for lost jewels undertaken for the Goddess Tudaldevi (Vaishnavi).
Celebrated by the Newar community over several days, devotees carried a beautifully decorated khat (palanquin) bearing the idol of the goddess throughout different places starting from the temple in Baluwatar and reaching to Gahana Pokhari.
The procession pauses at designated points marked with red mud in front of houses, allowing devotees to offer prayers and respects. A captivating element of the procession is the offering of an umbrella placed atop the elaborate khat which is rotated vigorously.
The festival reached its destination at the Gahana Pokhari (pond) where, following tradition, two individuals carrying silver poles made three rounds around the pond, followed by musicians playing the traditional Dhime and Nyakhin instruments, creating a lively atmosphere.
Led by a torchbearer, devotees then symbolically searched for the lost jewels by pulling the khat into the pond for three rounds.
Accompanying Tudaldevi’s chariot was another carrying Goddess Mahalaxmi, her youngest sister. This chariot, called Manekhat, waited at the dabali (platform) until Tudaldevi’s symbolic recovery of the jewels. Traditionally this would be followed by the process of sending the news of the recovered jewels to the goddesses of Nuwakot and Manamaiju, signifying the completion of the ritual but the tradition has been
discontinued nowadays.
The festival draws inspiration from a local legend about four sisters – Tudaldevi, Mahalaxmi, Manamaiju, and Nuwakotdevi – who lost their jewels while swimming in the Gahana Pokhari. With darkness approaching, Nuwakotdevi and Manamaiju departed for their distant homes. Mahalaxmi, from nearby Naxal, stayed with Tudaldevi in her search. The festival celebrates the eventual recovery of the jewels and the enduring bond between the sisters.
This year witnessed a rise in efforts to promote the Gahana Khojne Jatra to international audiences. Organizations like Varnabas Museum Hotel played a key role by creating platforms for guest participation in their premises and promoting Nepali culture amongst international guests. Additionally, Varnabas volunteers undertook a post-event cleanup effort at the Gahana Pokhari site.
For the next two days, Tudaldevi’s chariot will remain at the oldest dabali in Hadigaun where devotees offer prasad (sacred food) and flowers.
