Gunla Parwa
Gunla month is the tenth month of Nepal Sambat. Buddhists adore and honor Lord Buddha in monasteries, chaityas, and shrines during this Gunla month. The word “Gunla” is derived from the word “Gunila,” which indicates that it is a holy month to serve the chaitya every day, recall the virtues of all living things, and hope for the good of the world.
In a similar vein, it is also regarded as a sacred month to visit “Gun”, or forest in Nepali, to worship the chaitya. In this context, the word “Gun” also refers to the month of Singun, which in Nepali is the month of Swayambhu. King Bikram Dev is also credited with initiating the Gunla festival. Swayambhu, the light form in Manjupatan, the first area of Nepal Mandal, is known as “Chaitya Sewa” and is where the religion “Dhamma” originated. Gunla religion is the name given to this Chaitya Sewa.
On the day of the Gunla Month 15 monasteries in Bhaktapur city conduct prayers while Gunla instruments are played. The four Buddhas are visited by people on the fourth Wednesday of each month, specifically:
- Namo Buddha (Namobuddha)
- Bajrayogini Temple
- Swayambhu Mahachaitya
- Bunga Dyo (Rato Machhindranath).
They travel to Khasti Bhagwan (Bouddhanath) on the fifth Wednesday if the month occurs on that day. This month’s rainy season is known as Gunla Jhari. The monasteries in the city of Bhaktapur have the following names.
- Dharmottam Mahavihara (Muni Bihar) Inacho Khancha
- Indravarna Mahavihara Inacho
- Mangal Dharamdeep Mahavihar (Jhourbahi) Golmarhi
- Lun Baha, Sukuldhoka
- Chaturbraham Mahavihar, Sakotha
- Unbroken Mahavihara, Bolachen, Nasmana
- Khauma Baha – Khauma
- Padmapani Lokeshwar (Lask Dyo) – Inache,
- Jetavarna Mahavihar – Tekhapukhu,
- Kutu Bahi – Bharwacho,
- Thathu Bahi – Nah Pukhu,
- Punya Jetavan Mahavihar – Itache
- Manjubarna Mahabihar (Waun Baha), Bekhal
- Prashannasheel Mahavihara – Kwathandou
- Adipadma Mahavihara – Suryamadhi
Likewise in Thimi Nagar There are some Bihars. Such as: Padmapani Lokeshwar, Jetabarna Bihar, Pati Bihar etc.
