Bhaktapur Gunla Festival (Nepal Bhasa: गुंला)
Gunla month is the tenth month of Nepal Sambat, after the ninth month. Buddhists adore and glorify Lord Buddha in monasteries, chaityas, and literature during this lunar month. Gunla is made up of the terms “Gun” and “La” in Nepali. “Gun” refers to the ninth month, while “La” refers to the month. King Bikram Dev initiated the Gunla festival.
Thus, the practice of chaitya service, which began with the Swayambhu Chaitya at the center and was begun by Manjushree in the early days of the Bagmati civilization, became known as Gunla Parva. Gunla is a significant month in Nepal, according to Nepal Samavat. ‘Gu’ means ninth and ‘La’ indicates month in the indigenous Newar or Nepalbhasa. The 9th month, to be precise. One month passes between Shrawan Shukla Paksha Pratipada and Bhadra Shukla Paksha Pratipada, according to Bikram Sambat.
Gunla festival is celebrated only in the Newa community and in some regions where the Newa community is predominant, such as the Kathmandu Valley, during this Gunla month. Newa: The delight of this celebration is found to be more spiritual and contemplative in the Buddhist family of the community. Lord Buddha and his followers stay in the same spot without traveling during the rainy season when they go to preach heavenly discourses and knowledge, hence this event is also known as a confluence of rain and knowledge. Particularly at the Newar community’s Gunla festival.
During the festival, several traditional musical instruments including as the Dha, Taa, Nyakhi, Bhushya, Chuchya, and flute are played at various locations throughout Kathmandu valley too.
Such scenes can now be found in abundance throughout the Kathmandu Valley. Dyo:Thayegu is today’s special activity, according It is now common practice to construct little stupas out of black clay. It is traditional in Kathmandu and Lalitpur to carry a statue of Panjara, i.e. Buddha and other saints, as well as a khat representing God, are venerated in the city, and rice and other goods are collected. The Buddhist way is a philosophy that promotes balance and emphasizes spirituality, as well as generosity and peace.
On the days of the Gunla celebration, one plays the Gunla Baja for a month and prays in each of Bhaktapur’s 17 monasteries. Gunla rain is the name given to the rain that has fallen this month.