Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Mass "Bratabandha and Bel Bibaha" Ceremony

Mass pigtail ceremony which is called "Bratabandha" in Nepali & " Kaeta Puja" in Newari and a Newari ritual where girl child should be married with sun which is called "Eii" in Newari "Bel Bibaha" in Nepali has been organised and performed every year by
Jagatpal Mahabihar, Chilancho, Kirtipur.
This year a total of 115 boys participated in " Bratabandha" and a total of 60 girls participated in " Eii " ceremony.

Bratabandha participants performing rituals

Priest of the ceremony Dharma Muni Bajracharya.

"Eii" participants performing rituals

Donation Collecting Point

Ceremony Venue- Chithu Bihar

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bel Bibhaha or "Ehii" is ritual in which a Newari girl is married to a Fruit called "Bel". this means a Newari girl is never going to be alone in life. A mass Ehii has been a common customary in kathmandu valley past few years, that makes, especially in Newari town and villages. On the day of "Rishi Panchami" a mass Ehii and "Brata Bandha" is celebrated at Chilancho Bihar one of the historic and Biddhist Bihar of Kirtipur, The function is performed by the eldest priest (Gubhaju) of Kirtipur Dharma Muni Bajracharya under the patronship of Jagat pal Maha Bihar.
TYhis is one of the innovative idea in Newari culture which benefits many families and economies time and money. We should encourage this kind of function and need to explore other rituals to monimise time and money.

Anonymous said...

Bel bibaha is a practice in the Newar community in Nepal where a girl is wed to 'bael, a fruit, before her marriage.At an age 8-16 this is completed. If in case theri husband died they are not supposed to widow beacuse they already have a husband that is Bael.

Anonymous said...

The mass bratabandha or Ihee is performed on "Sri Panchami" or "Basanta Panchami" not on Rishi Panchami.