Pachali Bhairav launched

BY A STAFF REPORTER Kathmandu, June 27: The drama of Pachali Bhairav was made public in a form of a book at Kaushi Theatre of Teku. 

The book was jointly launched by Chandra Man Munikar writer, director and dance teacher and Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.  

Kathmandu is the centre for tangible and intangible heritages so new generation would know about the drama after the publication of this book, Deputy Mayor Dangol said. 

The tragic love story of Pachali Bhairav and Rukmani was staged for nine days at the Kaushi Theatre in Teku from November 11, 2021. 

The book tells the tale of  a Kirati King who had a habit of taking a  bath in the Ganga at Banaras, India. Once he was returning to Kathmandu in the form of a handsome man at the holy place of Panachalingeswor in Teku, the confluence of the Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers for meditation. 

Rukmani usually saw him at the Pachalingeshwor. She was attracted towards him and fell in love. One day she met with the king and they were in deep love. Later, she became pregnant before marriage.   After knowing about the pregnancy, Rukmani forced her lover to reveal his identity and he finally agreed to reveal himself. He told Rukmani to throw some grains at him so that he could return to human form. 

 She was afraid of the terrifying face of Bhariav and ran away from there and forgot to throw grains at him. 

Bhariav pursued her throughout the night, but when day began he hid himself. He reached a cremation site and wrapped a bamboo mat around him. He did not have enough time to disappear totally underground, and the stone venerated today at Teku is believed to be his unconcealed buttock. After that, people started worshipping it as Pachali Bhariav.  The book also describes the challenges faced by a single mother in the society. 

The mask dance of Pachali Bhairav is one of famous dances of Kathmandu, which is performed once in 12 years.