The Legend of Bhimsen - Part II
Continued…
The king was impressed with the artist's creation and gave his approval. It was brought to the hall of the temple for the installation ceremony by the priests. During the installation process, the king personally paid a visit. He wished to bask under the aura of the triumphant statue.
The priests initiated the ritual process to bring life into it. He began chanting spells and bestowed many offerings to Bhimsen. To demonstrate his tantric capacity, the priest inserted a piece of cotton inside its nostrils. To the surprise of all, the idol sneezed thrice. During this process, light emanated from the idols nostrils, concluded that it had come to life.
The king was astounded seeing this magnificent feat. He quickly took off a ring of nine jewels from his right hand and presented it to his guardian deity. From this point on, the square opposite the temple was renamed tuyulako by the people, meaning a place blessed by Bhimsen light.
The people of Lalitpur amongst all the Newar dominions worship Bhimsen the most.
He is revered as the god of wealth and prosperity by them. Households engaged in trade and commerce regard him as their patron saint.
Bhimsen his strength and fierceness are desired by all. Children chant, I want to be like Bhimsen; strong and mighty.
In Lalitpur, we have two festivals dedicated to Bhimsen; Bhin dyo Puja and Bhimsen Jatra. The first is a linear procession that features devotees clad in traditional attire. They circumvent the city and offer their prayers to the numerous temples dedicated to him. It is celebrated annually in the month of Magh (January-February).
The second festival, Bhimsen Jatra, is celebrated with great pop and flare. On the ninth day of Bhadras (August- September) dark moon, a gilded chariot is placed on the dabbali (raised platform) in front of the temple by devotees.
Thousands of devotees wait to witness a procession that makes a designated route around the city. The temple priest ventures onto the upper floor of the temple to take a replica idol of Bhimsen. Legend has it that it is full of many replicas. A statue automatically comes forward while the priest enters the room.
He then gently brings it down onto the second floor and performs an invoking ritual. It is then taken outside the temple by him, and a loud cheer follows. The revellers make ready the chariot, and the idol is placed onto it by the priest. The revellers chant Bhimsen maharaj ki jaya as they lift the heavy chariot. Musical ensembles provide tunes of encouragement, and the procession moves forward. Patrons holding incenses lead the parade.
The prescribed route is within the old city. It makes its way through narrow allies and stops time and again due to an overhead maze of wires. Revellers take turns to lift the chariot, and the festival ends almost at midnight after it completes its circular route.
It is then rested in front of the temple by the revellers. The priest carries the idol back into the temple. The festival is then drawn to a close. The revellers complain of aching shoulders but tell tales of a glorious night the next day.
This festival is the hallmark of Newari culture, the Newars credit Bhimsen for their blessed fortunes. Newars dominated branches of the silk route and became renowned traders and merchants.
The farming community worships Karunamaya (Rato Matysendranath) and the merchants, Bhimsen. These two living deities who attained divinity through their compassion, strength and grace hold a special place in the heart of all Newars. The temple sustained damage during the 2015 earthquake. The restoration was completed recently with the help of patrons and agencies.