Dashain worship begins at historic shrines

By Toplal Aryal, Resunga, Oct. 11: Special Dashain worship will begin on Sunday with Ghatasthapana at historic forts and various Shakti Peeths (sacred Hindu pilgrimage shrines dedicated to goddesses) in Gulmi district. 

Traditional rituals are being performed at forts in Isma, Musikot, Dhurkot, Chandrakot and Charpala, which were part of the former Baiese-Chaubise principalities, as well as at Shakti Peeths in Ghamir, Arje, Resunga, Marbhung, Arkhabang, Wami and Chhatrakot, among other places.

There is a tradition of priests and religious scholars observing fasts and performing daily worship throughout the 10-day Dashain festival, beginning on Ghatasthapana. 

The rituals of bringing in Phulpati, organising special worship and fairs on Maha Nawami, applying tika on Bijayadashami and performing the traditional Saraya dance make Dashain in the district distinctive. According to Padam Bahadur Singh, chairman of the Musikot fort management committee, the fort has a tradition of appointing two priests from the Thakuri and Saru communities and religious scholars from the Pangeni and Ghimire communities.

On Saptami (seventh day), Phulpati is brought from Beltari in Kurgha in the mandatory presence of members of the Thapa community. Accompanied by traditional musical instruments, the sacred offerings are carried in a palanquin and taken into the fort. Special worship, including animal sacrifice, and a fair are organised on Nawami, while tika and Saraya are observed on Dashami.

At Isma Kot, the tradition is for a Brahmin community, from the Aryal family to serve as the chief religious scholar and a member of the Khadka community to serve as the priest. Seven people, including an assistant religious scholar, perform daily worship for 10 days.