In Newar civilization, religion is highly valued. In addition to celebrations held within a single family, certain festivals call for the involvement of families from many generations within the same ancestry.
These celebrations also aid in preserving harmony among those who do not live in a single large joint family and are divided for a variety of reasons. One such event is “Digu Puja,” which is jointly observed by all members of the same family from several generations. It is sometimes referred to as Dewali Puja or Dugu Puja.
Digu Puja ( Dewali Puja, Dugu Puja ) is a ritual in which the Newars of Kathmandu Valley worship a lineage god. Digu Puja, aid in the creation of a bond between separated family members as reunion. Digu Puja was/is the Newars‘ most important religious/cultural celebration, through which they demonstrate their great cultural potential. However, cultural historians and anthropologists have mostly ignored this part of Newari culture (i.e., the various ways in which Digu Puja is celebrated).
Digu Puja was/is performed as part of the Newars’ highly cultured tradition. It focuses on the changes in the rituals that have happened as a result of the changing condition and circumstances, as well as identifying certain key distinctions in puja rites among the Newars themselves, while maintaining the core premise.
The dates of Dugu Puja differ by caste among the Newar community in addition to their various caste systems. The dates listed are set in accordance with the Lunar calendar. But from Akshaya Tritiya to Sithi Nakha, they begin performing Dugu Puja.
Digu Puja is typically performed on Thursdays or Sundays. According to the locals, “Digu Dhya” can be found in Bhaktapur’s Siddha Pokhari, Kamalvinayak Pokhari, Ranipokhari, Chonga Ganesh,Suryabinayak, Jhaukhel, Bhelukhel, Pachakhel and other locations.
