Event Details

Tuladevi Gahana Khojne Jatra is the most well-known Jatra among the Newari community which is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami according to Lunar Calendar. Many locals gather around Gahana Pokhari to enjoy the unique feel of the Jatra. This particular Jatra is celebrated for several days by the Newari local people. During the Gahana Khojne Jatra, the devotees place the idol of Goddess Tuladevi Vaishnavi on a chariot which is then pulled from a particular temple and taken through the town of Hadigaun, on this special day. The chariot is paused many times in the way to Gahana Pokhari, at the doorstep of the houses where red mud is marked in front. Meanwhile, when the chariot is paused, the devotees take their time to pay respects and make various offerings to the goddess. The umbrella hanging on top of the chariot is one of the popular offerings offered by devotees. After the chariot arrives at Gahana Pokhari, two out of all men take three rounds around the pond with a silver pole like a specter on their hands. While making three rounds by two people, the two people are accompanied by a number of locals playing Dhime and Nyakhin. Dhime and Nyakhin are the main musical instruments of the Newari Community which are played on special occasions like Jatra. The devotees pull the chariot into the pond following the lead of a man particularly the main leader of the Jatra. And finally, they take three rounds pulling the chariot deep into the pond. Tuladevi Gahana Khojne Jatra is enjoyed by all sorts of castes and communities by watching the Jatra gathering around the Pokhari in Hadigaun.