I recall being ten and a half, walking down the streets of Gabahal heading towards my mama ghar (Mother’s Home). The streets to my surprise were quite crowded, as we reached Nakabhail Tole. “I’m going to show you something very special today.”, said my mother as we walked towards Nag Bahal. My mother made way in the hustling crowd, whereas I made sure to hold her hands tight.
Putting to words the first time I witnessed the spectacular scene of glistening statues of what seemed to be Lord Buddha lined up in rows, standing tall is still difficult. I looked to my mother in awe, thanked her for letting me witness the feat of Ilan Samyak Mahadan.
The inception of this celebration of giving is approximately dated to Nepal Sambat 135 (1015 AD). Popularly believed to have been first organized by Bhari Bharo, a Thakuri King, son of King Bhaskar Deva.
Being a wise nobleman, during those times even the Kings had to earn their share in society just like a commoner. It is believed that he engaged in nominal work disguised as a simpleton to provide for his family. Even though he shared a royal bloodline, he was believed to have been poor but had a generous heart.
He wished for all to think he was rich, thus started collecting guintha (Cow Dung) from the local Khel (Pasture) and stored them in a room under lock and key. He kept it a secret even from his wife to make her presume that he has ungodly riches. It is generally not a good idea to keep secrets from one’s wife.
She started getting curious about what her husband hid behind closed doors. King Bhari Bharo was smart enough to always have the key on him, he wore it tied to a string. One fine morning he went for his daily bath, he took off the string as it caused him discomfort. She seized the opportunity to take the key and look into the room where she found heaps of gold and riches. She was quite surprised to the ungodly amount of gold and even was King Bhari Bharo as he stared into the room where he had been storing guintha.
The King was amused and humbled by the generosity of Lord Dipankar Buddha whom he revered deeply. To commemorate this great moment and continue the act of giving, he called upon all the Bahal’s and Bhaili’s to bring their Patron Gods. King Bhari Bharo, offered the riches to all through a process of giving alms (daan) to their patron deity as an act of dharma.
It is believed that this celebration was a yearly affair till 1806 AD, after which the festival was organized once in every five years. The official opening of the festival is when a Yoshi (ceremonial pole) is erected at Nagbahal. After which the aajus (highest in the rank of Newar Buddhist community) with an entourage circumvent the valley inviting all the Bahal’s and Bahili’s to the festival. On the eve of the Samyak, the idols are brought together at the square of Mangal Bazar. At the stroke of midnight, they are carried to the courtyard of Nagbahal and placed in an orderly manner.
The next day is a grand celebration which left me speechless when I was little. The idols of brass feature deities such as Basundhara, Arya Tara, Aryavalokiteshwara and Dipankar Buddha. The larger life-size idols are carried by a caretaker from their respective Bahal or Bhaili. Smaller ones are brought in a palanquin. Devotees come in flocks to offer rice, grain, money and goods to each deity. The giving of alms lasts till 3 PM after which the Samyak is drawn to a close.
The festival is officially drawn to a close when the Yoshi is grounded and a special puja at Jal Binayak, Chobar is conducted. With this, Ilan Samyak Mahadan. Is officially brought to a close and the great glistening idols rest to be displayed in another 5 years.
