Gunhi Punhi

Gunhu Punhi is one of the Newar’s most popular festivals that lasts for nine days.

First day, the Newar drink broth, known as Gunhu Punhi, consisting of spouted mixed cereals. Everybody gets Doro(Janai), from the Brahmines a defensive cord tied in one’s hand. Feed is being provided at farms on this day for the frogs, known as Byancha Yata Ja Nakegu.

Sa:Paru marks Gunhu Punhi ‘s second day. On this day people in the area, whose family member died that year, dressed up as cows parade. Cows are believed to help the lost soul pass effortlessly into heaven. The amazing thing that’s portrayed this day is humor and satire.

Gunhu Punhi‘s last day is Krishnastami, Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary, an manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Various dances are held in various parts of the valley in between.

Newar community ‘Kwati Punhi’ also known as ‘Gunhi Punhi’ . On this day Newar people cook nine different soaked sprouted beans and consume it as a feast with rest of the family members. Variety of nine beans are soaked for three to four days until they sprout. The beans are cooked with many spices to make a thick soup. People give Kwati and Roti to Frog in on Newar Culture in the belief that frog brings rain so farmer can plant their field. They are eaten for health benefits and ceremonial significance.

Kwati (Soup) is a traditional Newar food and a mixture of over nine different sprouted beans that is consumed on August full moon day. To be more precise, on the auspicious occasion of Janai Purnima, Kwati belongs to the Newar culinary community in Nepal and is usually savored by the entire world.

Nepal is holding another important Hindu festival, Janai Purnima, just a day before Gai Jatra(Sa:Paru). Dominated by Brahmin and Chhetri, only the male that has Janai (Holy Thread) around his body can change that during this day. Janai is a cotton thread worn by Bartabanda ‘s man. Bartabanda ‘s meaning is that a boy has now matured enough to claim his duty, and can reach manhood. The meaning of the Janai is that it has three strings, a cotton thread. Such three cords symbolize the body , mind and spirit and it is believed that every man wearing three bound Janai has power over body , mind and spirit. Most pilgrims trek to holy three ‘Gosaikunda’ lakes which Lord Shiva himself believes to build to ease his burning throat after saluting the poison. It is believed that the holy water of Gosaikunda washes away the sins, suffering and sorrow of the person who has bathed there. On the same day from Pandit (Hindu Priest) people who don’t wear Janai tie colorful sacred thread or cotton thread on the wrist. That it is worn for protection and security is believed. During Tihar, the same thread worn around the wrist is later attached to the cow’s tail with the expectation of making a free passage to heaven.

People celebrate Rakhshya Bandhan on the same day as the Janai Purnima and Gunhi Punhi. Rakhshya Bandan is mainly celebrated by Hindu and Jain, but is now popular throughout Nepal, particularly in the Terai area. Rakhshya Bandan refers to the ‘Security Bond’ that this festival holds brother and sister of great significance. Sisters tie a colorful bracelet called Rakhi around her brother’s wrist on this day and placed red Tika on his Forehead, performing Aarti for his prosperous life , health and protection. The brother offers to beautiful presents to the child, money as a love token, and feed each other candy and tasty foods. Strengthening the connection between brother and sister is one of the significant festivals.

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