Kathmandu, April 1
Temal Jatra, observed on the eve of the full moon in the month of Chaitra, is being celebrated today.
On Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi, members of the Tamang community perform special prayers led by Lama gurus, wishing for peace for the departed souls. They also light butter lamps at the Bouddha Stupa as part of the ritual.
The Tamang people have been celebrating this festival since ancient times as part of their tradition.
Although the festival is named “Temal Jatra” after the Temal region of Kavrepalanchok, where it was originally observed by the local Tamang community, it is now celebrated by Buddhists across the country.
On the full moon day, similar rituals are performed at Swayambhu, where devotees, as far as possible, bring their own Lama gurus to conduct prayers.
After completing the rituals, there is also a tradition of forming pairs or groups and singing Tamang dohori (folk duet songs) in the Tamang language.
