Gaura Parva/Durwashtami/Mahalakshmi Vrata Aarambha

Gaura Parwa: A festive thread to unify entire Nepal.

Gaura Parwa has it's roots deeply associated with the origin of the Nepali language and Khas kingdom. The search for the roots of Nepal's language and culture is of great importance in the Far Western landscape and its ancient background. In the far west, which is the origin of the Khas kingdom and the roots of language, culture, and civilization, the Gaura festival is celebrated by organizing various religious activities from the 6th to the 8th of Bhadra Shukla Paksha. Especially in Doti and Kumaon, Gauraparva has been celebrated since time immemorial.

Ancient significance of Gaura Parwa
After Sahastrarjuna, one of the ancient Haihyavanshi kings, killed a Brahmin while demanding his money back from the Bhriguvanshi Brahmins, the widowed Brahmins went on a fast to protect their chastity. As a result of worship, a Brahmin got a glorious son and the king named Sahastrarjuna, who was blinded by the glory of that son, had to apologize, so Gauri, i.e. Parvati, is considered to be the almighty and Gaura festival is celebrated in her memory.

Gaura Process

On the first day of Gaura Parva, the women of the Gaura Parva community go on a fast and soak 'Biruda' i.e. five kinds of nuts in a copper or brass vessel in their house and accept it as an offering. On the second day after soaking the biruda, they wash the 'biruda' at the community water source (pandhera) at an auspicious time and make an idol of Gaura and enter the house. After Gaura enters the Gauraghar, Shiva and Gauri (Gaura) are worshiped by devout women.

After entering Gaura, men and women enjoy playing deuda, chait, dhamari, etc. in separate local folk languages. Through such songs with special and utmost Nepaliness, they share each other's sorrows and joys as well as love. This festival is celebrated as one of the biggest festivals in the far western region. It is customary for the head of state to wish the countrymen on the occasion of the Gaura festival.

It is important to take the Gaura festival not only with the Far West but also as a festival of the entire nation and Nepali identity. East or west, the hearts of Nepali are the same.Happy Gaura festival to Nepalis from Mechi to Mahakali!

Durbasthami

Durvasthami is also celebrated on the day of Gaura festival. People of the Far West and Midwest are celebrating Ujyali Gaura and Durvasthami festivals today by worshiping Uma Maheshwar and Duvo. Bhadra Shukla Ashtami as Durvashtami is celebrated as Durvasthami and ujelo Gaura.

It is customary to celebrate Bhadra Shukla Ashtami as the Light Gaura and Bhadra Krishna Ashtami as the Dark Gaura. If one is fasting Gaura for the first time, then one has to fast from the bright Gaura.

It is believed that this festival was started in the western part of the country to commemorate the fulfillment of the desire of Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, in the Satya Yuga after she did penance in the rainy season of Bhadra without fear of water, forest, land, and animals.

This vow is called Durvasthami as it is worshiped. There is a religious rule to worship, adore and fast Uma Maheshwar in Durvasthami with the desire to spread children and raise a family like Duvo. Gaura and Durvasthami festivals are also celebrated with the wish that the children are good and have good qualities, age, and health.

Mahalakshmi Maha vrata commences today

Mahalakshmi Mahavrata commences today with, simplicity and tenderness of the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

क्षीरोदार्णवसम्भूता लक्ष्मीश्चन्द्र सहोदरा।
 व्रतोनानेत सन्तुष्टा भवताद्विष्णुबल्लभा।।

Lakshmi who appeared in the Ksheersagar, Mother who is equally bright in the moon, and Bishnu Ballava, be satisfied with this vow I have made.

Holy 16 days of Mahalakshmi Vrata

Today, Shukla Ashtami of Bhadrapad, i.e. for the next 16 days, Mahalakshmi's Vrata series is being celebrated. Welcome to this year's 16-day holy series of Mahalakshmi Vrat. In these 16 days, Goddess Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and auspiciousness, is worshiped. Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared during the Samundra Manthan process from Ksheer Ocean (Ksheer Sagar), she is married to Lord Vishnu or Sri Hari. Every now and then metal coins fall from the palm of the hand of Goddess Lakshmi seated on the lotus flower. If you look at these images, the goddess of wealth is an idol of tender heart and an easy presence.

The gross world pursuing wealth needs to learn a lot from Mother Lakshmi's simplicity and tenderness. In these 16 days, the devotee who worships Goddess Lakshmi faithfully attains wealth and prosperity. The longevity of wealth and prosperity depends on human service and good deeds. Mother Lakshmi is largely pleased with human service and humanitarian work.

 Milk, sandalwood, and dairy products are used to worship Goddess Lakshmi, holding a garland of lotus seeds and chanting Goddess Lakshmi's following mantra is super beneficial.

 The following are the Sanskrit texts and simple Nepali meaning of Mahalakshmi Mantra only available in Hamro Patro, Nepal's most downloaded mobile application.

 करिष्यकहं महालक्ष्मि व्रतमें त्वत्परायणा ।
 तदविघ्नेन में यातु समप्तिं स्वत्प्रसादतस् ।।

 That is to say, O Goddess, I will be faithful to this Mahavrat here and will be faithful to it.
 Best wishes!

 Suyog Dhakal