People celebrating Shri Kanti Bhairav Jatra in Gokarneshwor (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: The old Newar settlement of Gokarna (now Gokarneshwar–4) in the Kathmandu Valley is celebrating Shri Kanti Bhairav Jatra with grandeur.

The traditional festival celebrated every year, on Mother’s Day, has its own uniqueness and religious history.

The festival begins when devotees bring sagun (auspicious offerings) and food to the temple of Lord Bhairav, located at the ancient Newar settlement ‘Deshe’ in Dukulachhi, for his mother, Kanti Bhairavi, at Uttarbahini. The auspicious offerings are taken as Bhairav’s offerings for observing Mother’s Day. The festival concludes on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

This traditional custom of the festival includes the custom where Lord Bhairav, accompanied by sagun, Bhate Dyo (God of Rice), and traditional musical bands, goes to see his mother’s face. The practice of Shri Kanti Bhairav Jatra has been preserved since ancient times.

After visiting his mother, locals carry Lord Bhairav’s khat (palanquin) through all the neighborhoods, before taking him back to his temple by evening, marking the end of that day’s procession.

Similarly, after the completion of the palanquin’s procession, the festival concludes on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On the day, Bhairav is ceremonially enshrined back in his temple through religious rituals.

As Bhairav returns from his mother’s temple, he is given a farewell accompanied by the Sindoor Jatra (vermilion festival).

(Glimpses of Shri Kanti Bhairav Jatra’s Celebration)

(Photos: Saroj Basnet)

Nepali version of the photo feature