Bhaktapur, September 9
The Panchadan festival is being observed in Bhaktapur today, with five Dipankara Buddha idols being taken in procession around the historic city.
The festival is observed annually on Bhadra Krishna Trayodashi, known locally as Panchadan Chare, according to Buddhist tradition. Historical accounts attribute the beginning of the festival to Jayadev Bajracharya during the reign of Malla king Naresh Malla in Nepal Sambat 775.
The five Dipankara Buddha idols brought from five Mahavihars are taken to different parts of the city and Buddhist monasteries throughout the day. Devotees offer grains, fruits and other raw food items produced from the land according to their means.
The festival also features the traditional practice of giving alms to Shakya and Bajracharya priests and Buddhist monks. Devotees, from children to elderly people, participate in the procession and alms-giving rituals.
Panchadan in Bhaktapur has distinctive local traditions. Families traditionally prepare kwati, a mixed-bean soup, at home on the festival day. Traditional musical groups perform Gunla music, Dafa devotional songs and other forms of traditional music during the procession.
The festival begins at Adipadma Mahavihar in eastern Bhaktapur and traditionally concludes at Thathuwahi in the western part of the city.
—RSS
