MATAYA

Patan, one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal, is the home to the finest craftsmen and artisans. Historically called as ‘Yala’ by the natives (Newars); the city nevertheless preserves much of its historic beauty along with its winding lanes, brick homes, and numerous well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries(vihars), and monuments. Culturally rich, newars in patan celebrate many festivals and jatras among which “Horn festival” popularly known as ‘Mataya’ can be observed in the ninth lunar month of Gunla (July- August).

Mataya is derived from two Newa words where ‘mata’ means lights and ‘ya’ comes from the yatra considered as a sacred journey. Horn, also known as ‘Neku’, has traditionally been regarded as a wind instrument with religious significance in this festival. Consequently, this festival is also known as “Neku Jatra''.

According to Shringaketu Jatak, the legend says that the queen of Sashipatan once built a small chaitya (a symbol of the relics of Lord Buddha) in memory of her deceased husband, she put one horn a top of it and then turned the second horn (Neku), giving it a neck pipe made of bamboo to direct air into it. The buffalo horn produced a musical sound, much to her gratifying joy. She then played the buffalo horn for her deceased beloved husband paying tribute to the Chaitya. After much fruitless one-sided effort, the king finally responded. This music then graced into a message of relief and deportation. Thereafter this festival began by paying respect and praying for the souls of departed family members and holding parades throughout Patan. The city has been divided into ten blocks namely: Nakabahil, Mangal Bazar, Chakrabahil, Nagbahal, Bubahal, Haugal, Ukhubahal, Ekhalukhu, Kobahal, and Saugal; for this festival. Every year during the month of Gunla, each block organizes the event along with the Naubaja instrumental ensemble. Each of these blocks get their turn once in every ten years. In order to participate in this journey, people come from various places. A small group of Bajracharya priests lead the journey, which is followed by hundreds of devotees. The journey is a long path walking to worship major four Buddha stupas i.e., Bagmati Stupa, Pulchowk Stupa, Lagankhel Stupa and Imadol Stupa. All these individuals walk through every “galli”, “chuka”, “lachi”, “bahi'' and “bahal” where the chaitya and buddha stupas are built. Some toles participate in this festival by sending a group of men, playing different traditional musical instruments like bansuri, dholak, khin, madal etc.The pilgrims offer rice, grains, vermilion powder, sweets, incense, camphor, ita, coins, and guru patra at the shrines. Additionally, some individuals gather in groups dressed in comical attire known as' ‘Lakhay' and ‘Khya’ to join this journey and entertain others throughout the journey. They sing, dance, and entertain others through satire and comedy drama.

Grand performance of the magnificent Nau baja performance takes place in Patan Durbar Square in front of Patan Museum during this day. The Nau baja consists of Dha, Kot, Dhancha, Dhime, Nayakhin, Dholak, Pachima, Kokhing, and Nagara, in total nine combined musical instruments. All these baja have a great traditional importance having unique folk music, played with different ragas.

Alika Maharjan & Swechhya Pradhan

Lens: Arya’s Photography