It is a festival of Light, of Joy and of Music. Mataya, also called Neku Jatra and Shringa Bheri Jatra, is one of the unique festivals of the Kathmandu valley. It is held in the ancient city of Patan, Lalitpur, each year around Shrawan/Bhadra of Bikram Sambat, which lies in August/September of AD. It is held a day after the famous festival Gai Jatra and two days after another festival Janai Purnim
a. This festival is organized by 10 communities of Patan city, turn by turn. Each shunya Saal (the year that ends with a zero) of Bikram Sambat, it is organized by Saugal Tole, which is one of the communities of ancient value in Patan. This festival has several aspects which makes it unique and significant. One of its main features is that the people from all around Patan and other localities come and join the procession which goes around the city of Patan to pay homage to each and every Chaitya (A Buddhist monument) of the Patan city. This includes the four big Stupas located in four directions of the city. People come in different kind of dresses and funny masks to entertain the viewers as well as play musical instruments while going around. Another important aspect of the festival is that of the music. While the devotees go around the Chaityas, two groups of traditional musicians go around the city, playing the musical instruments Dha (frequently followed and transitioned by Nayo khin) and Damo Khin respectively. They pause at several spots in different communities to demonstrate the music. While going around the city, the musicians pause in the Durbar Square of Mangal Bazaar, in front of the Golden window of the ancient palace, to play Nau Baja, in which around 15 different musical instruments are played, including those belonging from local Newar community as well as from other communities, like the Jhakri Baja. Along the way, a group plays the instrument Neku, which is made of the horn of Buffalo, from which the festival takes one of its names, Neku Jatra. Being held from the ancient times, this festival is one of the valued cultural heritages of Nepal. We need support from all the lovers of culture and heritage from national and international arena!
