Monday, May 28, 2012

harishiddhi

Harisiddhi is a village development committee in Lalitpur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4116 living in 754 individual households.[1]

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[edit] Introduction of Harisiddhi Village

About 8 km from the capital of Nepal, on the way to south-east Godawari forest, there is a historical village called Harisiddhi village where the Maharjan of Newar caste lived most. The place is named after the goddess Harsiddhi, whose 4 storied temple is situated in the middle of the village.[2]
According to Hindu econography, the goddess Harsiddhi has 4 hands: Damaru, Kamandalu, Khadga and Kalash. The origin of this goddess is in Ujjain, India.
In "The History of Nepal", written by Daniel Wright (Cambridge 12th Jan 1877, page 132), the Raja Vikramajit went back to Ujjain, and having brought the Goddess of three Shakties (or powers), named Harsiddhi, the Raja placed her here near Nil Tara, from which the village of Harsiddhi took its origin. Then the Raja, under the direction of the goddess, brought all the Gods of Nepal to that place with great ceremonies and dramatic performances; plenty of vocal and instrumental music. It is well known that there is no dramatic performance equal to that of Harsiddhi."[3][4]
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

[edit] Geographical condition

This village is about 4,400 feet (1,300 m) high from the sea-level. Its latitude is 270 38' north and longitude is 850 21' east and the temperature is between 20 to 34 °C (68 to 93 °F)[citation needed]. This village is surrounded by Godawari Stream in the east and Kodku Stream in the west. Most of the land in this village is plain and because of fertile soil, the crops are very good here.
There is Siddipur VDC in the North-East, Dhapakhel VDC in the west, Thaiba VDC in the south and Imadol VDC lies in the northern part of this village.[3][5][6]
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

[edit] Social Condition

According to the census 2058 BS, the total population of this village is estimated 5939 nearly. Among then 92% is Newar (surname Maharjan), 4% other Newar Caste and 4% are Damai, Kami, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Chhetri and Brahmin. Ancient Newars’ liked to live in congested area; they have their own religion and traditional culture. They are related in Guthi i.e. the committee that makes rules for the community according to the tradition and culture. So, the mutual co-operation is very strong in the Newar society. Maharjan community liked to marry with Maharjan Female. Now-a-days other caste is also accepted. Most of the villagers are of medium social status. Now, other Nepali people are attracted to make habitat in this village because of the various facilities.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media

[edit] Educational Condition

This village is forward in education. It has higher secondary, secondary, middle and primary schools. Nearly, 2000 above students are studied in those schools. It is proud of this village that could born SLC board topper as well as University Topper students. Now, it has 4 doctors, 8 Engineers, 1 Lawyers, 40 Teachers and some Computer technicians. It is regret to mention here that qualified and skilled man-power of it is gone to foreign countries for employment and study. The educational environment is not good in Nepal.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 7, 2011]

[edit] Religious Condition

Most of the villagers believed in traditional Hindu religion. Still it has a few percent Buddist, Krishna Pranami, Christian and Nirankari.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 8, 2011]

[edit] Arrival of Harsiddhi Goddess

The origin of Harisiddhi is in India. Indian emperor Bikramaditya is the founder of "Bikram Sambat" who came to Nepal and brought his beloved goddess Harisiddhi and establish in Baneshwor, Nepal. He started the dance of god and goddess. After some year, the dance is discontinued. At the Lichhabi dynasty 745 B.S., Goddess Harisiddhi is transferred to Harsiddhi village and started the dance. Again the dance is discontinued for some years. At the time of Amar Malla, the famous incantatory Gayojuju brought the disappeared dance and Yog Narendra Malla provided 310 ropanies land for the purpose of daily worship and 294 ropanies land to continue the dance. In the middle of the village, the temple of goddess Harsiddhi is established. Instead of the recognition of "Bhairab, Harsiddhi and Kumari" three clay-pot with full of water are set in the temple towards west direction. This goddess is also known as Tri-Shakti, Tri-Devi, Maheswori, Amba Maa, Baishnavi and Jagdambba. According to the main priest Tri-Bikram Jwalananda Rajopadhya, main goddess Harsiddhi is the creator of the world. She creates "Bhairab and Kumari" with her miracle power. So, she is also known as Tri-Shakti (three powered) goddess. According to Devi Puran (history) era 75 page no. 18, though goddess is imageless still with her miracle power, possess image and believed that she accept the public-pray if prayed with holy-mind and blesses the prayer according to their wish.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 9, 2011]

[edit] The First Mask Dance of Nepal

According to the history of Nepal, the mask dance of goddess Harsiddhi is the "First Mask Dance" of Nepal. It is well known that there is no vocal and instrumental music and dramatic performance equal to that of Harsiddhi. The dance is very fantastic still. One can not satisfied with his first seen. The combination of music with different instruments and the vocal which is believed the original voice of the god at that time is very charming. In the old days, this dance is performed three months continuously. The people were not interested to watch such a long period dance and the value of it was going decreasing. So that the dance is completed within a day accumulating the main events of the dance. So, it is a little difficult to understand the nature of dance in a day, said the priest. No argument that the dance is very exciting. Now-a-days, the dance is performed two times in a year. First is at the time of "Yomari Purnima" and the 2nd is at "Holy Purnima". This time is the main festival of the local people and their closer friends and relatives are invited as guest.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 10, 2011]

[edit] The establishment of the village

Harisiddhi village is named by the name of goddess Harsiddhi. Nearly 60 persons are needed to perform the dance of Harsiddhi from 60 families. Gathering those families Harisiddhi village was formed. They are almost from the Maharjan Newar Caste. This village is surrounded by 4 main gates. The villagers made 8 ponds, 10 wells, 7 taps, 4 small wells, 43 patis, 46 temples of various god and goddess and 12 big public grounds. The village was not allowed to enter with leather shoes as in Pashupati temple but the people felt difficult to obey this rule. So, the people did not follow this rule now.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 12, 2011]

[edit] Arrival of Harsiddhi from Phulchoki forest

During the mall dynasty, there lived a famous incantatory named Gayojuju (Yogendranand Rajopadhya), he could talk with god and goddess and able to get up the death body. He had started Gurukul School in his home. His pupils helped him in household as well as learning. One day one of his pupils went to Godawari forest to collect some wood. He heard there a strange musical sound. He went ahead listening that sound. He reached the top of the Phulchoki forest and saw the strange scene. He was afraid and had gone to hide in a bush from there, he looked those strange scene that god and goddess came down from the heaven, performed dance with lovely music and departured. The events were continued for a day long. In the evening the dance was ended. He came from the bush and forgot that he was coming to collect the wood. He came back with empty hand. When guru asked him about the empty hand, he explained the description of events he had seen in the forest. The guru was also very surprised about that. The guru was curious to know about the events. Next morning the guru with his pupils went to the venue with full preparation. They looked all circumstances hiding in a bush. The guru banned the area by raw string with incantation. God and goddess came down to dance from heaven. But they could not departure. All of them came down and dance but no one could departure. Then goddess Harsiddhi asked who did that? Soon, Guru came out from the bush and apologizes in front of the Harsiddhi and he did so because he was not satisfied yet to watch the dance. So, he prayed to get chance to watch the dance again. The goddess said that the management is difficult to perform that dance. When the guru promised to managed the required materials Devi agreed the promise. The guru chantedly makes the gods to enter in drinking vessel, wraps the vessel with raw string and covered with grass. They came down from the hill carrying the vessel by a pupil. When they reached at the 9 taps (Nau Dhara – place name), bottom of the hill they liked to have a rest. When they reached at Thaiba (place name), they took rest and heard pig crying. Then Devi asked to departure from that place and taken near Harsiddhi village place called Sichako (place name) from that the travel continued to Harsiddhi village place called Niba (place name of Harsiddhi), ahead of 100 steps from that place Devi was established. Later the temple for Harsiddhi goddess is founded there.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 13, 2011]

[edit] Who named Harisiddhi?

In ancient, there were two giants named Prachanda. One day they went to the Kailash (the place of Lord Shiva). They hurt the gate-man Nandi. Lord Shiva knew it and remembered the Goddess Chandika. Goddess appeared immediately and killed those 2 giants in order of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased and said," from this day you will be worshipped as Harsiddhi by the people".
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 14, 2011]

[edit] Where are Harsiddhi established?

Goddess Harsiddhi is established in the following places and she is worshipped as follows:
  1. Ujjain India – Amba Maa
  2. Dwarika India – Baishnavi
  3. Gujarat India – Harsiddhi
  4. Dolakha Nepal – Balkumari
  5. Sita Paila Kathmandu – Harsiddhi Pith
  6. Kwalkhu Patan – Tri-Devi
  7. Dhulikhel Kavre – Tri-Shakti
  8. Agnimath Patan – Maheswori
  9. Thaiba Lalitpur – Jagdambba
  10. Harisiddhi Lalitpur – Tri-Shakti
Nepalese first and finest mask dance is the dance of Harsiddhi. King Yog Narendra Malla provided 310 ropani lands for daily worshipping and 294 ropani of land for the festival of every 12 years. So that, this beautiful dance will be continued.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 15, 2011]

[edit] 12 years festival of Harsiddhi

The main functions of the 12 year tradition are as follows:-
  1. Appointment of Priests
  2. Coloring of Masks
  3. Dress Making
  4. Bringing of Holy-Wood
  5. Re-gain the divine power
  6. The establishment of Kalash (Clay-vessel with full of water)
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 16, 2011]

[edit] Appointment of Priests

Priests are appointed only in 12 years festival instead of death and disabled. Main priests 10 persons are appointed by the patron of the country (President). The elder son of the priest is chosen president wraps their head with the white piece of clothes for next 12 years as managers. In this 12 year festival 2066 B.S., President Ram Baran Yadev inaugurated the function. Before this time, His Majesty did it. Other assistant priests are appointed by main priests consulting with the Brahman. Among main God and Goddess Kumari is appointed from main priest and Ganesh, Maheswori and Bhairab are from assistant priests. Angels among those 19 assistant priests, one boy is appointed who is not done Brata-Bandha (religious act) should not be dropped original teeth and no any other black spots on the body. In the same way other boy is appointed from the public. Those two boys are known as Jichamacha and Khola-Macha. It is believed that those boys are holy-person and used to clean and worship the god. And provide a little land for living. Unluckily, in the 12 year tradition of 2018 BS, court of the country decide that the priest who have learnt the voice of god should not be rejected so that those two boys are appointed only from the family of assistant priests. Miss-understanding this process, neighbor villagers and surrounded public believe that a human-being is sacrificed in Harisiddhi in every 12 year tradition, which is totally wrong. It is true that 5 animals (he-buffalo, sheep, goat, duck and a pair of fish) are sacrificed and blood is drunk to main goddess Maheswori, Kumari and the god Bhairab. The performance of Harsiddhi mask dance is difficult as well as expensive. So, a lot of land, nearly 600 ropanies of land are provided for the priests and other helpers, Other helpers are : a) potter (to make clay vessel), b) dress-maker, c)artists (to color the masks), d) music player as Sahanai (small clarinet), kaha (long clarinet), flower provider and so on. After the completion of fulfillment of priests Khola-Macha (angel) opens right side door of the temple which was shut on the day of cow festival and 4 days later Jichamacha (angel) opens left side door and enter all priests into the temple. Then, the dancing and musical training starts for them all under the rules and regulations of the temple. It is remind able that those priests wear traditional white dresses, and keep their hair long. They are not allowed to cut the hair, eat chicken, garlic and do smoking. On the occasion of function they put on strange cap (like a hat rounded by a long piece of cloth) and they are free from mourning culture. All they are respected in the village as well as neighboring villages. They themselves respect on the basis of their role in mask dance. Two week later of training, they rehearsal the dance in front of the temple without possessing mask and holy-dress. They only cover their face with bunch of flowers to avoid shame if done mistake on dancing. Some days later, villagers and VDC contribute some money to meet the requirement of expense to perform the full phase of mask dance. This festival is known as 12 year tradition of Harisiddhi and celebrates joyfully inviting their relatives from other places.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 17, 2011]

[edit] Coloring of masks

Special painter is admitted to paint or color the mask so as to keep the mask in original color. This is possible only in 12 year tradition. In turn they are provided some plot of land as remuneration. They keep secret the method of coloring. And it is believed that the real image of the mask itself has divine power. They should not be look with empty hand. They paint the god of music "Nateswor" or Nriteswore or Nasa Dyo on a sheet of cloth, drawing three different eyes denoting Ganesh, mother (shy nature) and father (angry nature). The priests have to take fasting on the re-new establishment of Nasao Dyo and in the evening they go to bring the colored masks inside the temple.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 18, 2011]

[edit] Dress making

The holy dresses worn on the mask dances are also made in 12 year tradition only. Special person is admitted to make new dresses. He is also provided some plot of land.
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 19, 2011]

[edit] Bringing of holy wood

A kind of wood which is needed to burn while chanting by a guru to make pure the condition is brought from the Phulchoki forest in the former. But nowadays it is brought from the small bush where available nearby the village by guru in especial manner and carried it to the place where mask dance is performed. During this time, they are welcomed by guru in south gate entrance
Source : Our Harisiddhi Posted by : Subodh Maharjan Website : NepStyl Kreation Media Post Date : [Nov 20, 2011]

[edit] Regain the divine power

It is believed that the divine power of god and goddess are diminished at the end of every 12 year. So, they have to re-gain the divine power. They go to the following places of Kathmandu valley for pray to re-gain the divine power as: Sunakothi
  • Chobhar Ganesh
  • Jalandhar, Kirtipur
  • Balkhu Bishnu Devi, Naikap
  • Sita Paila, Kathmandu
  • Mhepi, Naya bazaar
  • Old Baneshwor
  • Dadhikot, Bhaktapur
  • Okhata Sanagaon, Lalitpur
  • Harisiddhi Pith, Lalitpur
  • Nasao Dyo and, Lalitpur
  • Harisiddhi Temple
All of those 29 priests go to the place. One by one and main god and goddess who are covered with a big piece of clothe separately are Ganesh, Maheswori, Bhairab and Kumari. They sit in front of the concerned deity. Other priests who take part in music will spell the divine words. In some minute they trembled themselves which is the symbol of re-gained power. Normal person cannot tremble continuously for a long time as they do. They chant, sitting in front of those deities. They will not communicate by words with the public. If they need something they indicate with hands or write on a sheet of paper. Knowing this situation the local government VDC requested the LDO/CDO to help for the police to escort. Because they have to reach all those place in a day. It is possible only if there is no traffic jam. In the former it took long days. They had to carry required things. There were no transportation facilities. They were always busy. They could not participate in the work of private interest. They should not be touched by man and animals to regain the power. In the former, while they walk on the way, general people did not understand. If some obstacle found on their walking, they ex-hole the voice to be aside. When the priests wear their formal dress, they appear strange and the general people may afraid or may attack. They may think that those are miss-kind people. But it is miss-understanding only. They re-gain the power last in the Harasiddhi temple.
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