Kathmandu, Apr. 25: A large number of people gathered at Gahana Pokhari of Handigaun to enjoy the Gahana Khojne Jatra (searching for the jewel fiesta) on Wednesday.    

The chariot of Tundal Devi that arrived at Gahana Pokhari and the musicians playing traditional Dhime and Nyakhin Baja made the atmosphere joyous.  

Gahana Khojne Jatra is one major Jatra celebrated by the Newar community of Handigaun.  

Handigaun, the historical town, is famous for two major festivals– Gahana Khojne Jatra and Satya Narayan Jatra, also known as the ‘Kahi Nabhayeko Handigaunko Jatra.’  

Devotees carried a khat (palanquin) of goddess Tundal Devi (Vaishnavi) within Handigaun area. Then, the khat carriers took the khat inside the Gahana Pokhari to search for jewellery.

The festival is observed over several days but the main event took place on Wednesday. 

On the main day, the idol of goddess Tundal Devi was placed on the khat and the devotees of Handigaun took it round their locality. 

On the way of Gahana Pokhari, the chariot was stopped in front of a house where the devotees offered various items to pay respect to the goddess.

 One of the interesting things is that the devotees offer umbrellas which are hung on the top of the pagoda-style three-storied temple-shaped palanquin.    

Two men go around the pond three times with a silver pole in their hands when the khat reaches Gahana Pokhari. 

Following the lead of a man, devotees enter into the pond with khat and they also take three rounds carrying the khat into the pond. 

After that, the khat of Tundal Devi is brought to the Dabali (a platform). 

Mahalaxmi, the youngest sister of Tundal Devi, placed at the Dabali is waiting for the arrival of Tundal Devi

Then, the khat of Mahalaxmi is  taken around Tundal Devi for three times and Tundal Devi is placed at the oldest Dabali of Hadigaun for about two days. 

Bijaya Prakash Karmacharya, a priest of Tundal Devi Temple, said that they sent prasad and flowers to the goddesses of Bhairavi in Nuwakot as a message that the lost jewels were found but were lost again. 

Earlier, there was a tradition to take the khat of Tundal Devi to Nuwakot to give the message that she found her lost jewels.

 Over time, the tradition was limited to sending prasad and flowers to Nuwakot that too ended around 30 to 40 years back, he said. 

He further said that every year, recalling the myth of searching for the jewels of Tundal Devi, the festival of Gahana Khojne Jatra is celebrated at the Gahana Pokhari. 

According to a myth, the three sisters – Mahalaxmi, Tundal Devi and Bhairavi of Nuwakot – were once travelling along the sky and they were drawn by the view of the pond of Handigaun. Then, they entered the pond for swimming.  

Tundal Devi happened to lose her jewel in the pond. As it was getting dark, Bhairavi of Nuwakot returned to her homes.

Mahalaxmi from Naxal stayed there to give company to  Tundal Devi as her home was nearby. 

After they found the lost jewels, both sisters returned home. 

The festival formally begins on the day of Paha Charhe festival on April 7 with the scattering of rice in every junction and temple of Handigaun, Bhatbhateni and Naxal area, he informed.  

There is a tradition to give oil massage to the Tundal Devi five days before the main festival.