By Our Correspondent
Damak, Nov. 11: The 135th Phalgunanda Jayanti (birth anniversary of Mahaguru and National Hero Phalgunanda) was marked in Damak and other towns of Jhapa by organising various programmes on Monday.
A parade of Kirat people marched around Damak Bazaar offering worship to the statute of Phalgunanda, located at Damak-1, in the morning.
Damak, Gauradaha, Shivasatakshi and Arjundhara Municipalities and Kamal, Buddha Shanti and Haldibari Rural Municipalities of Jhapa have declared public holiday on the occasion of Falgunanda Jayanti on Monday.
Not only in Nepal, the birth anniversary of Mahaguru was celebrated worldwide, said Kakiram Lawati, Chief Secretary of Kirat Chotlung Muhingum Angshimangenna Service Committee.
Lawati also said that the birth anniversary would be marked throughout the week.
Mahaguru Falgunanda had issued a 7-point consensus declaration of “Satya Dharma Mulchuka” on 1931 May 4th A.D, in presence of 17 Thums and 10 Limbuwans.
Through his declaration, he aimed to stop violence and ill practices prevalent in the then society.
His main message included a ban on animal sacrifice and elimination of social evil practices.
After Phalgunanda was declared as one of the national heroes in 2009, the Kirats of the eastern region of Nepal have been marking his birth anniversary as one of their festivals.
On May 7, 2014, the Kirat community also declared Phalgunanda Jayanti as one of their religious festivals.
Phalgunanda was born on 1942 B.S. at Chukchinamba Dandagaun of Mangsebung Rural Municipality-2, Sawik Ivang-5, Ilam.
The birth name of Phalgunanda was Naradhoj. His family made him wear a bangle made up of iron (Falam), following a belief that the iron-made bangle would protect the newborn throughout his life. His name was then changed to Falamasingh.
He is also known by the names like meditator (Dhyani), Tapashwi, Satyahangma, Mahaguru and Muhingum.
As per the books written on Phalgunanda, he used to wear female clothing and ornaments and he didn’t get married and remained a Bramhachari throughout his life.
He died at the age of 65 in 2005 BS.