Meeting Decides NOT to Move Janabahaa Dyo Out During Renovation

After much powwowing, it has been decided, at least for now, that he will stay put in his seat, right where he is now. The topic of hot, and so far healthy, debate that has been going on for some time is regarding the best way to deal with the main image of Aryavalokiteshor (or Janabahaa Dyo) during the imminent renovation of the central chamber where it resides (earlier blog entry on this topic can be found at http://janabahaa.blogspot.com/2008/08/to-take-him-out-or-not-to-take-him-out.html#links).

During a meeting held on September 4 at Janabahaa, experts put forth their arguments and opinions for and against moving the image out of the inner sanctum while the wooden beams directly above it are replaced. Many theories were analyzed, especially in light of the meticulous measurements of the physical structure taken recently and other important details that came to light while exploring the internal architecture of the temple.

Experts invited to this meeting included, among others, Purusottam Dangol, who had written a book entitled “Elements of Nepalese Temple Architecture” published by Adroit Publishers in 2007 (ISBN 81-87392-77-0) and Pancha Ratna Bajracharya (aka Indra Guruju) of Bhinchhe Bahal, Lalitpur who had undertaken much of the woodwork at the Great Lotus Stupa built by the Tara Foundation of Germany in Lumbini.

It was finally agreed at this meeting that it was safe enough to put up a strong plank on top of the image of Janabahaa Dyo to protect it from falling debris while wooden beams on the ceiling directly overhead are pulled out one by one and new ones inserted in their place. Now, the question is, though it would be easy enough to take out the old beams, what kind of challenges would come up while sliding in new ones in their place, given the limited working space available? The inner chamber is small enough (9 ft. square) as it is, and the image of Janabahaa Dyo lying therein needs to be protected from any physical damage during the process.

And the fact remains that no one but designated caretaker priests (dyo pala gurujus) can co inside the inner chamber to carry out the carpentry and masonry works – whether or not they have the skill (see earlier blog entry about this at http://janabahaa.blogspot.com/2008/08/reflect-deliberate-contemplate-to-come.html#links).

Nevertheless, the decision not to move the deity out of its abode does save us all from a lot of hassles, as moving it out entails following very stringent religious rites and carrying out elaborate (read resource-hungry) ritual ceremonies. Photos by Alok Tuladhar.

Presentations from 1st Annual Meet

UK-based Surendra Sthapit has put in a lot of time and effort to convert the PowerPoint presentations made during the 1st Annual Meet of Janabhaa Society (held on June 28, 2008 at Janabahaa) to web presentation format so that they can be viewed online. Sumati Bajracharya’s presentation on the history of Janabahaa can be viewed here, and Sampurna Tuladhar’s presentation on future plans can be viewed here. It was also Surendra who came up with the idea of making the presentations available online via Google’s Picasa web album service. Thanks for your wonderful contribution, Surendra.

"Sano Sansaar" to be screened in aid of Janabahaa Society

Upcoming Nepali feature film Sano Sansar will be screened at Jai Nepal cinema at 5:15 pm on September 15, Monday to help raise funds for Janabahaa Society. Thanks to Mahendra Man Sakya of Tej Bhawan, Lazimpat for coming forward with this idea and for subsidizing the cost of the tickets. Please email info@janabahaa.org.np or call Jai Rajbhandari (98510-54113) if you wish to purchase tickets to this special screening of the film. The lead actor and actress will be present during the screening. Here is a synpopsis of the film:

Ravi is an average guy who has just graduated from college. Like most average guys, he doesn't know what he wants in life. Reetu is a not so average girl knows what she doesn't want. Suraj is a sureheaded fellow who knows exactly what he wants in life. Manoj Sizapati (aka Siza) wants what every guy wants ;) ;)

Little do they know that they are living in a Sano Sansar where everyone knows everyone even if they think they do not know them...

Manuscripts (and More?)

A few years ago, one of the more conscious priests during his tenure as caretaker (dyo pala) discovered several ancient handwritten manuscripts written in Ranjana script within the inner confines of Janabahaa Dyo temple, and had it professionally digitized and analyzed at a local archive, thus saving it permanently for the benefit of posterity. Most of the manuscripts he had found had been partially damaged by fire, insects or rats. As his tenure at the temple came to an end after a month, he was left wondering what else was stored in the temple that could give invaluable information relating to our past. Right now, as the present renovation works are in progress, many are asking whether we will find any more of those lost documents or other valuable relics. This would definitely be the best opportunity to explore, for a long time to come.

To Take Him Out… or Not to Take Him Out

The topic of hot debate right now is what to do with the image of Karunamaya Aryavalokiteshor during the renovation period. Since the image lies directly below the beams that need to be replaced, there is high risk of debris falling on top of the image and damaging it while beams are removed or new ones are inserted on the ceiling above the image. Hence, one school of thought is that the image should be relocated while repair works are being carried out. On the other hand, it is also true that if technicians work carefully enough and proper measures are taken to prevent debris from falling on top of the image, it will not have to be relocated. Intense discussions are being held every day among technical team members and caretaker priests (dyo pala) to come up with the safest and most practical solution. Here is a picture of the image, sans the ornaments and garments it is adorned with every day.

Renovation Works Officially Launched

Wednesday, August 27 was determined to be an astrologically auspicious day to commence the renovation works. On that day, a Kalash Puja ceremony was performed at the temple premises by members of the Aryavalokiteshor Sarbasangha, which formally launched the repair works. Though not much work was actually carried out on that day (as everybody will be busy with religious duties until the ongoing Gunla festivities are over), one very important task was achieved – detailed measurements were taken of some inner structures of the temple, including those of the present wooden beam configurations and their exact placements in the brickwork. In the process, a portion of a beam that was in decrepit condition was actually pulled out. Data thus obtained will be vital in determining exactly how the main wooden beams (that have deteriorated very badly due to age and insects) in the central chamber will be replaced. Consultations are being held currently among experienced engineers and other highly qualified technicians to decide on the safest mechanism of removing the weakened beams and placing new ones in their place. Photos by Alok Tuladhar.

Approval received from Puratatwa

In response to the application we had submitted to the Department of Archeology of the Government of Nepal, we have today received official notification from the Department that the renovation works that are being planned may be undertaken. Here is the letter received from the Department. Thanks to Jai Rajbhandari for following up with the Department for getting the approval, and for using his contacts there to get the formalities completed without any delay.

Reflect, Deliberate, Contemplate… to come up with a solution

As the date for the temple renovation works draws closer, interest in the finer details of the upcoming task is getting deeper. So far, we have had visual evidence of the run-down condition of the beams only of the frontal chamber, but today we got some pictures of the beams of the inner chamber. Look closely at the areas marked with the red ovals. One can clearly see all the way through to the masonry (brick, mud, etc. that forms the flooring on the upper storey) that lies on top of the wooden beams. The masonry can be seen because large portions of the beams have been completely destroyed by termites and other insects. You can click on each picture for a larger version.

These are pictures of beams directly above the deity of Janabahaa Dyo. Now, this does pose a significant problem, as no one but select members of the Aryavalokiteshor Sarbasangh (or Dyo Pala gurujus) are allowed to go into that section of the temple. And naturally none of them possess the masonry and carpentry skills required for the work in hand. Time for some deep contemplation… there has to a solution to this…

The origin of Newaa

In response to Shreena Tuladhar's article on the second edition of Janabahaa e-News, Daya Ratna Shakya of Portland, USA has sent in this comment:

"Jwajalapa to all

From my limited knowledge on the mentioned subject what I can speculate here is that Kirant ( not Kiranti) and Newah share some common features in linguistics. But culturally they are very distant in current context. The word kirat was hypothesized as compound form of /ki/ ( rice) and /raat/(Meat). Newars also prepefer to consume meat and rice. This is the only speculation we can find in resources. But linguistically Kiraat and Newah share many features.These features are still availabe in Dolakha nad Pahari dialect. But do not match with Yen, Yala, Khwapa, Pyangao, and Chitlang. These dialects share the feature with Bhot Burmesealong with Tamang. Gurung and Thakali(TGT language). For more details please see Nepal Ritu pau titled Article( jhiigu bhaaye Sarbanaamik jakan Makhulaa? ) published 15 years ago. Subhaaye

drasha"

He also sent us a diagram proving his point (see left).

This is the kind of feedback and constructive discussion we were hoping for as an impact of the newsletter. It is very gratifying to see it happen so quickly. Keep sending your suggestions, opinions and criticism. That would be food for our brains, and will keep us going.

e-News # 2

Whew! We finally managed to get the second issue of the newsletter out, albeit one day late. Again, we have a very encouraging response to this edition already: one of the readers, Dipak Tuladhar of Lal Durbar, saw the article on Gunla by Shreena Tuladhar and asked if it could be published in the annual Asan Gunla Bajan magazine. We are highly motivated by reactions like this, and encourage all to give us feedback so that we can be more effective with the newsletter. Let us know how you like it, or if you like it at all. Send us suggestions on what needs to be included. Tell us if the pictures are too big... or too small. All you have to do it just post your comment right here, or simply email us at info@janabahaa.org.np, and judge for yourself how responsive we are to your responses. :)

Notice to Government About Renovation Works

One of the decisions made during the first meeting of the temple renovation ad-hoc committee held on Nepal Sambat 1128 Gunlathwo Tritiya (today) was to officially inform the concerned body of the government about the renovation works being planned. A letter to that effect was submitted to the Department of Archaeology today itself.

Photos depicting the crumbling, decaying condition of the beams (given below) were also attached to the letter to highlight the urgency of undertaking renovation works immediately. These photos were taken by Alok Tuladhar in October 2006.

1st Meeting of Janabahaa Dyo Temple Renovation Ad-hoc Committee

The first meeting of the seven-member temple renovation ad-hoc committee (formed as per the decision made during the meeting called by Aryavalokiteswara Sarbasangh on July 26, 2008) was held today at the Janabahaa Society office.

Here is the invitation to the meeting (in Nepal Lipi script)...

...and the minutes of the meeting (in English, sic!).

Among the members of the committee, Bijay Shrestha and Bal Krishna Prajapati could not make it to this meeting. Ashok Shakya could not attend since he was on duty as the official priest at the Janabahaa Dyo temple since the last three days, till the rest of the holy month of Gunla. Click on the pictures above for larger versions. Sorry, no one took pictures of today’s meeting.

“Yo Bajya, Gahanki Phoney”

The lanky, gray-haired lady in the middle of the picture is a familiar face at Janabahaa. Every morning, she occupies her own little corner, begging alms from devotes that throng there. Today, she came back in the afternoon as well, having decided that Janabahaa was a place as good as any to size up her collection and pack them up neatly in big bundles, that were later taken home on a rickshaw by her family.

Following centuries old custom in Kathmandu valley, lower caste families of the Newar community, especially the Podey caste, go out begging alms in town during solar and lunar eclipses. Holding out a basket for people to throw money, grains or clothes in, they holler, “Yo Bajya, Gahanki Phoney” for all to hear. If one is to assume that “Gahanki” is a corrupt form of Grahan (or eclipse), one could easily conclude that “Gahanki Phoney” translates to begging of alms while an eclipse is in progress.

Though “bajya” means grandfather in Nepal Bhasa, it is also a term used sarcastically when addressing someone who is projected as superior, especially if one feels he/she is being forced to address that person with respect where it is not due. In today’s context, traditions that vividly demonstrate class discrimination and public humiliation of the lower caste by the upper caste, such as the Gahanki Phoney tradition, should be made outright illegal.

A partial solar eclipse that occurred over Kathmandu skies today could not be viewed because of peak monsoon clouds. Photos by Alok Tuladhar.

1st e-News Dispatched

After much talk (that is, for almost two years), we finally have our first newsletter out. It is circulated via email to anyone who is interested, and it is in English. Less than two weeks after it went out, we already have a couple of very good responses from readers who have volunteered their time, effort and resources to help the cause of Janabahaa Society. There is no doubt whatsoever that the effort being put into the newsletter will be well worth it, as it will surely bring out many good results, both short-term and long-term.

We have plans to bring out the newsletter in Nepal Bhasa (Newari) as well, and hope to have a printed version out in the future to reach a wider audience, if we are able to find the resources to print it (not necessarily cash; contribution in kind will do just fine). Please write to info@janabahaa.org.np if you wish to support it in any way, or if you wish to provide your ideas on where we could find support, or if you simply wish to receive it on your email.

The Big Meet

Aryavalokiteswara Sarbasangh, the Janbahaa Dyo priests’ organization, convened a meeting on July 26, 2008 at the Digi Chhen to discuss three issues: (a) Shanti Hom ceremony; (b) renovation of the Janabahaa Dyo temple; and (c) reconstruction of the chariot.

At the meeting attended by several elderly priests (and younger ones too), representatives of several other organizations and groups that are directly or indirectly linked to Janabahaa or Janabahaa Dyo and many local people, it was decided that a grand Shanti Hom ceremony will be conducted to spread the message of solidarity among the Buddhist community, especially after the chariot of Janabahaa Dyo toppled over earlier this year at Ratna Park.

A seven-member temple renovation ad-hoc committee was also created to oversee the construction works of the main Janabahaa Dyo temple that is in imminent danger of further degradation, especially the wooden beams on the roof directly above Janabahaa Dyo. Discussion on chariot reconstruction was deferred to a future meeting. Click on the pictures for bigger size . Photos by Alok Tuladhar.