 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2014) |
| Mohani | |
|---|---|
_(8554838949).jpg) The Goddess Taleju, an aspect of Devi, is worshipped during the festival. | |
| Observed by | Newar people |
| Type | Religious, cultural |
| Observances | Worship of Tutelary deity, Veneration of tools of the trade, Sword processions, Sacred masked dances |
| Begins | first day of the bright fortnight of Kaula |
| Ends | full moon day of Kaula |
| Date | the month of Kaula (October – November) |
| Related to | Dasain |
Mohani (Nepal Bhasa: 𑐩𑑀𑐴𑑂𑐣𑐷 or 𑐩𑑀𑐴𑐣𑐷; from Classical Newar: 𑐩𑐴𑐣𑐷, mahani),[1] also known as Moni or Mohni is annual religious festival celebrated by the Newar people of Nepal.[2] It is analogous to Dashain, a Hindu festival celebrated in South Asia, although Mohani celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists. The festival is based on the lunar calendar and starts on the first day of the bright fortnight of Kaula, around late September and lasts for fifteen days till the full moon.[3]
The festival involves a packed itinerary of religious services, pilgrimages, family gatherings and outdoor celebrations lasting several days. Special dinners known as Nakhtya (𑐣𑐏𑑂𑐟𑑂𑐫𑐵), to which all the relatives are invited, continue for weeks later. The festival is also dedicated to Taleju, the tutelary goddess of the Malla kings.
The festival has been variously described as a celebration of Hindu Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahisasur, Goddess Chamunda destroying the demon Chunda and Indian emperor Ashoka renouncing arms in disgust after a particularly bloody battle and becoming a Buddhist. Mohani is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so the dates are changeable.[4][5] The main celebrations last for four days from the 8th to the 11th days of the bright half of Kaulā (कौला), the twelfth month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar.
- ^ Malla, Kamal Prakash (2000). A Dictionary of Classical Newari (Kamal P. Malla). Cvasa Pasa. p. 358.
- ^ Levy 1990, p. 524.
- ^ Levy 1990, p. 543.
- ^ Anderson, Mary M. (2005). The Festivals of Nepal. Rupa & Company. pp. 142–155. ISBN 9788129106858.
- ^ Mitra, Kalyan (11 October 2013). "Mohani Nakha". Sandhya Times. p. 3.