Halchowk Aakash Bhairav’s Bahara Barse Jatra continues

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, may.1: Halchowk Aakash Bhairav’s Bahara Barse Jatra is celebrated once every 12 years. A mask dance of 10 deities are showcased in this Jatra.

This year, people are experiencing the exquisite masked dance that began on the first day of the Nepali New Year and will continue May 14. As the jatra takes place in an interval of 12 years, one has to wait till 2037 to observe it. 

The masked dance features performances by 10 deities and takes place in the ancient settlements  of Kathmandu district.

The special mask dance of Halchowk Aakash Bhairav started on April 14 this year. According to tradition, the Jatra is celebrated throughout the month of Baishak with various religious programmes. 

Aakash Bhairav is presented as the main deity, while the dances of goddesses including Chandi, Kumari, Parvati, Mahadev, Ganga, Akash Devi, Barahi, Mahakali and Dakshinkali are also performed, said Sagar Putuwar, President of the Halchowk Aakash Bhairav Committee.

He added that the masked dances are being performed daily at different locations along the traditional routes.

Dancers aged between 17 and 21 are participating in the performances, he informed.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Nagarjun Municipality have allocated Rs. 2.54 million and Rs. 1.33 million respectively for the management of the Jatra.

According to the Guthi records, this Jatra was initiated by King Gunakamadeva in Nepal Sambat 107. The King reportedly had a vision of Mahalakshmi, which inspired him to establish deities, including Aakash Bhairav in Halchowk, through tantric methods, to protect his kingdom from crisis.