Navadurga Devgan‘s ‘Ngalakegu Jatra (ङा लाकेगु जात्रा)’, Nepal’s longest procession, has been instrumental in establishing Bhaktapur as a global cultural hub. An ongoing custom is the ‘Ngalakegu Jatra (ङा लाकेगु जात्रा)’ of Navadurga Devgan, who is revered as a living deity.
Specifically, Navadurga Naach, Ngalakegu Jatra(ङा लाकेगु जात्रा), and other festivals are held, and classical and traditional dances are performed to the beat of the drums, especially when the face is hidden behind the goddess’ mask. This Jatra is observed annually for Eight(8) months while wearing the mask and for four months when it is not. The unique worship of Navadurga, which is celebrated on the day of Gathamug: Cha:hre (गथांमुगः चःह्रे), is also regarded as an important worship after the naming ceremony of Nava Durga as part of the “Makundo Bina Jatra”.
This year, on Wednesday, the seventh day of the month of Shrawan, there will be a special devotion to Navadurga. The goddess of Parvati, Navadurga, is celebrated on this day for her creation. The temple is thoroughly cleaned in the morning on the day of this unique worship.
The Ujaju (banmala), who will be the Navadurga Devgan this year, assemble with their worship supplies at the Navadurga Temple in Ward No. 9 of the Bhaktapur Municipality.Together with extra puja supplies provided by the Nakin, the female temple priestess of Navadurga, 19 deities in Ghaji (white robes) leave for Makundo House in Yachhen, Ward No. 6, Bhaktapur Municipality, escorted by the Malinga Baja.In the Makundo House, the Pun:cha (Painter) worships the creation by placing black clay in the shape of Navadurga Mahadev and using worship materials taken from the Navadurga Temple. The deities will leave for Talakwa, Ward No. 4, Bhaktapur Municipality, following their proper worship of Lord Shiva. The Navadurga deities formally perform Cha Payagu, or clay worship, among Talakwa’s Hakujyas, the native caste of clay potters. In order to construct this year’s Makundo and the clay pots used in the Jatra all year long, the Hakujyas are asked and invited to make the Black Clay (Dhya: Cha-द्य:चा). The goddesses will return to the Navadurga temple following the completion of the puja.
When they arrive at the temple, one of the devas plays the Khin Baja, which has been forbidden since the day of Bhalbhal Ashtami (Bhagasti). The playing of the instrument is thought to have been permitted and initiated at Bhaktapur‘s Monasteries, Temples, Dafa Bhajans, Baja groups, and Bhajan Mandals from this day on. In the evening, it is a tradition for all the Navadurga Devas and their family members to attend the temple and eat a feast as Prasad.
On this day, in the various places of Bhaktapur city , a Ghatamug: (गथांमुगः) is made and taken to a specific place and burned. Many people think that when Mahadev is created in Navadurga, devastation also occurs. Therefore, special creation worship (विशेष सृष्टि पूजा) of Navadurga and Cha: Payagu (चा: पयागु पूजा) are performed on the day of Ghatamug: (गथांमुगः).
