Dipankha Yatra
Dipankha Yatra (Devanagari: दिपंखा यात्रा Audio file "Dipankha Yatra.ogg" not found) (also spelt Deepankha Yatra, Dipankar Yatra) is a pious journey that takes place around the heart of Nepal "The Kathmandu Valley". Devotees walk through the journey barefooted to 131 religious destinations within 2 days.[1] The occurrence of the Yatra (Travel)is decided by the astrological calendar. Dipankha Yatra is mostly celebrated by Buddhist as well as Hindu Newars of valley, the followers are guided by Gurjus of Newar community. It takes place only when the following five events fall on the same day:
1. Sauryamas Sankranti (First day in solar calendar)
2. Chandramas Purnima (Full moon)
3. Rewati Nachetra (An astrological event)
4. Harshan Yog (An astrological event)
5. Chandra Graham (Lunar Eclipse)
It is believed that a single step in the Yatra equals the Punya gained upon offering 1 tola of gold. The procession begins at Nagbahal, Patan at dawn and ends at Mahalaxmisthan the following day.
A partial list of the 131 places visited is as follows
Dipankha Yatra was organized on 17 October 2005 (Monday, Ashwin 31, 2062 B.S.) that occurred after 38 years. An estimate of 100,000 people participated in the journey.[2] Next Dipankha Yatra will take place on 18 October 2013 (Friday, Kartik 1, 2070). Route map <http://www.jwajalapa.com/images/kipa/dipankha_map.gif> References |
