Kathmandu, 31 march 2013, Holi
begins from the day of Falgun Sukla Asthami with hanging of a wooden penis
(Laga) of human size or a vegina-shaped red cloth at the Bhimsen Temple in front
of Dattatraya Temple of Bhaktapur. Holi is then celebrated from the next day-
the Nawami, by carrying the Laga to different streets. Thus, the Phagu or Holi
festival, which symbolically concerns to sex, is linked somewhere to Krishna or
Pralad throughout South Asia. But it is specifically related to Bhimsen in
Bhaktapur. As Bhimsen Temple was constructed during the period of Jagat Prakash
Malla, the Holi tradition is supposed to be started from the same times.
On
the day of Falgun Nawami, the Bhimsen-penis is exhibited by carrying on
shoulder by two persons to every houses and shops around Inacho, Bachutole,
Jela, Jagati, Bramhayani, Chyamasingh, Dattatraya Temple etc of Bhaktapur. The
Penis under exhibition is worshipped with donation by pilgrimage. The locals
have a belief that their business flourishes if they observe and donate some amount
to the penis. After this the Bhimsen-Penis is brought back to hanging on a wall
which is worshipped with donation of money everyday continuously for seven days
by man and women.
The
penis-shaped Laga and the vegina-shaped red cloth, after being exibited to the
market, is hung over the Bhimsen wall for seven days. The hanging penis-shaped
Laga which shaking penetrates into the vegina-shaped cloth which is considered
as a sexual intercourse between Bhimsen and Draupadi. The people in Bhaktapur
consider a wooden-Laga that measures two haat in length and thirty inches in
thickness as the penis of Bhimsen and a hole on red cloth as the vegina of
Draupadi. This is called Chir Swayagu in Newari culture. The Phagu is supposed
to begin with penetration of penis into vegina or Chir Swayagu. After Chir
Swayagu, the local people from Newar community enjoy a feast at Bhimsen temple
which is called Guthi Bhoj. Specially, on Saturday and Tuesday, at grand market
gathering is observed at the Bhimsen temple throughout the Holi festival. The
Gayaju Guthi have are found to be involved in singing the Holi songs. A glimse
of such songs is as follows:
"
Bhimsen deya laga Khangalo Banala
Lyase
Bisyuwane Mwayak so Jhayala."
This
literally means that, "Did your heart lure towards Bhimsen's Penis; Did
you come to observe for not needing to escape."
On the day of Phagu Purnima (the full moon day of
Phalgun) the festival is celebrated with various colours throughout a day by
people at Bhaktapur followed by the carry out of Khat of Lord Krishna from
Bhaktapur Taleju which is taken to surround over the Nagar (Municipal area) and
finally brought through Bhimsen temple in front of the Dattatraya and then the
hanging penis is carried for wash by a person to nearby Indrayani Khola (river)
which is returned back to the temple again. The public belief till date is that
the sonless parents would bear the son if he/she carries the penis to the river
for washing purpose. As a result, many people try out to carrying the penis-Laga
up to the river. The Holi festival of the year is over after the Laga is brought
back to Bhimsen temple after washing at the river.
