In Nepal, we have thousands of fascinating
old building and temples almost all of which
have religious figures and symbols. It would
be almost impossible to know about each and
every one of them. So, we discuss some important
figures and symbols.
Shree Yantra
Tantric pundits use different yantras, for
tantric puja or meditation,, Among the many
yantras prevalent the shree yantra (shree stands
for "Lakshmi" the goddess of prosperity)
is said to be the most important and is called
the king of yantras by the tontric adepts.
Shree yantra is composed of two sets of triangles
one of which is compossed of Shree Kanthas (four
male Shiva triangles denothing gradually involved
energy) and the other set of trangles is composed
of Shivayatis (five female or shakti triangles
denoting five senses of knowledge and action,
and five subtle and grooss forms of matter).
These two triangles reflect the unison of Shiva
and Shakti.
It is believed that Shakti is always in unison
with Shiva, existing within each and every being
as the inner self; the state of existence, consciousness
and bliss. Shiva is the Ashraya (basis) of Shakti
which in turn, being his creative faculty, is
the basis of the whole universe. hence, she
is known as Shree the primordial energy existing
within Shiva and yantra is her divine extension
network, Without her operation, this visible
comos would not be possible.
This universe and all it's contents are basically
composed of panctatva or five basis elements
comprising of Prithvi (earth), Apas (water),
Tejas (light), Maruta (wind) and Aakash (sky).
It is belived that our body is also composed
of the same basis elements called pindo. the
unison of Pinda, the individual body, with Brahmaanda,
the cosmic body, is beautifully represented
by this great yantra.
Religious Symbols
The objective of meditation on shree yantra
is to unite with the universal mother. in her
forms of mind. life and matter, to attain consciousness
and divinity. the yantr is therefore transformed
from a material object of lines and curves into
a mental state of union with the universe.
Satkon
The satkon is composed of two sets of overlapping
triangles. One is the symbol of Shiva, which
stands for eternal being (static by nature),
and the other is a symbol of Shakti, the most
active female. This popular symbol of the union
of Shakti and Shiva, that indicated the union
of the two, is represented in several Nepali
works of art like the Mandala paintings, windows
and doors etc. the beautiful temple residence
of Devi Annapurna Ajima, at Bhotahiti tol in
Kathmandu, has one of the mast exquisite satkon
patterns in its windows.
The Satkon signifies the five basic senses
and the extra sensory perception that significantly
makes it the six-pointed star; this symbol is
believed to have originated from ancient tantric
Hinduism. On the other hand the Buddhist believe
that satkon symbolizes the perfection of the
higest form of wisdom (pragya), however, the
Mahayansists accept it as a great symbol of
Pragya (knowledge or enlightenment) and Upaya
(active force or the power of the female principal)
united.
This ancient symbol appears to be the central
core of all the highly sophisticated symbols
in Nepal Religious culture.
Swastika
Swastika, a Sanskrit word which means doing
good for all, is a very ancient oriental symbol.
This symbol can be seen woodcarvings, bronze
castings, Thangka paintings and many other traditional
forms of art.
In Buddhism, the four hands of Swastika sighfying
Maitree (friendship), koruna (compassion), Mudita
(happiness) and Upershya (indifference), are
four diving merits artalents. This theory is
very dominant in our culture. According to Sadhanmala
(one of the most authentic Buddhist texts),
the lour merits represent four ideal ways to
Nirvana every aspirant should mediate on.
It is believed that the Mahayanists, in due
course of time, developed on iconography based
on all those four merits and soon created Swastika
to proudly add to their pantheon of gods, the
many deities were all given the same merit names
like Maitree, Karuna, Mudita and Upekshya. Hindus
as well Buddhists worship them in Nepal. Among
many such deities of Nepal, the four most beautifully
built bronze statues of these merit gods can
be seen in Hiranyavarana Mahavihar (golden Temple)
of patan built by vaskar Varma in 12th century.
Shiv Linga
The linga is the phallic symbol of lord Shiva
and it displays supreme power generally identified
analogue of cosmic deity. It occupies the womb
cell in temples while the outer structure of
this double sex diety signifies its determinate
creative function. Creation, in tantra is described
as sexual self-relation. The Brihadaranyaka
Upanisad says that one alone knows no delight
and so the femela partner was generated.
According to the Puranas, Lord Shiva assumed
the form of lingam Uthe phallic symbol of universal
pro-creation), on the night of Shivaratri, to
save the universe from a big therat of destruction.
It is said that when Lord Shiva swallowed the
Halahala poison, Which had emanated from the
intensive churning of the milky ocean, the heat
of the poison proved to be so unbearable that
he could not wait for a Himalayan showe, Gonga,
the river goddess, is said to have rushed to
him and poured all the waste she had in possession.
This helped him and so, even today, holy water
is offered through jalahari (a copper cup that
hangs above the shivalinga it is believed that
Shiva was not called enough even after Ganga
Poured all the water the possessed over him.
He was cooled only when the whole of the moon
was tucked in the matted lock of his head; Shiv,
after having cooled himself become ecstatic
and started dancing the Tandava Nritya.
Shankha
Shankha is a Sanskrit word used to denote a
sleek and smooth conch shell. It is believed
that if the Shankha is blown with skill, It
can scare away evil spirits and is described
as a killer of germs and enemies. According
to some scholars, it can also be used for preparing
many kinds of Anurvedic medicines and that a
certain dose of its powder can cure jaundice,
gall bladder, etc.
The Hindus as well as Buddhists drink water
from a shankha before they break a fast and
almost all temple prayers are accompanied by
the blowing of the Shankha.
It is strongly believed that the Shankha had
been shaped from the holy waters showered from
heaven. Thus it is regarded as a divine jewel
always held by Lord Vishnu on his right hand.
It was also used as safety bands for young ladies
to wear, around their hands, in the form of
bracelets and its necklaces were worn to cost
away evil eyes.
Chakra (the wheel of righ action)
Chakra or the wheel of righteousness is emblem
or tool used as a holy symbol by Hindus and
Buddhists. Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation,
always holds a chakra to do away with demons
and to protect his devotees and to make sure
that Dharma (righteousness does not retrograde.
In Buddhism, some interpret the Chakra as the
wheel of life and see it as the eachings of
Buddha. We might as well say that it's purpose
is similar in Buddhism and Hinduism because
the first teachings of Buddha began with the
turning of the Wheel of Dharma.
Singamoo (ceremonial vermilion container)
This ceremonial container is used for storing
vermilion powder for religious purposes. The
consecrated vermilion inside the container represents
Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and abundance.
the upper portion of the Sinhamoo is either
shaped like three, five or seven tiered oriental
umbrella serving as a ceremonial canopy of Laxmi,
Singamoo is used in almost all-religious ceremonies
particularly in the Newari community.
Jwala Nhyekan (A ceremonial metal mirror)
Jwala Nhyekan, an ancient religious object,
has a plain circle as the central portion surrounded
by stylized flames that come to the peak at
the top. It is indispensable in all kinds of
religious ceremonies in the Newari community
of Kathmandu valley. This is used by the Buddhists
as well as the Hindus to symbolize inner vision
and is also regarded a representation of Saraswati,
the goodness of learning and creative arts.
Kalasha (a holy ceremonial water jar)
Kailash is a typical traditional water jar
usually mode of brass, which has a round body
with the base and mouth beautifully designed
like a full-blown lotus. Kalasha, the symbol
of the universal mother goddess, is supposed
to contain Amrit (inexhaustible elixir), which
never dries and makes one immortal. It was said
in ancient times that the sprinkling of Kailash-water,
accompanied by mantra, Over ones head would
ensure plenty, purity and prosperity.
Lotus (the flower of wisdom)
The lotus is among the most popular motifs
in Nepali arts, it is a symbol of mental purity
and detachment. In Nepal, It is also a symbol
of divinity as some Hindu as well as Buddhist
gods are seen sitting on them showing that they
are divine.
Torana
Torana a gateway leading to a temple or a holy
place of worship, is semi-circular in form and
is placed above temple doorways. Toran mostly
found made on wood or stone and some are lavishly
gilded with brass, others are even beautifully
embellished with several artistic designs.
Bajra
Vajra, which means 'thunderbolt, is used in
the Vajrayani as well as Mahayani sect of Buddhism.
It is described as an ever illuminating, indestructible
and adamantine element, often identified as
a divine symbol of the changeless absolute,
in a Buddhist text. The vajra is always accompanied
by a bell, for Vajra stands for the male principle
whereas a bell for the female principle. A Vajra
accompanied by a bell is a ritualistic requirement
for every Buddhist religious ceremony. In every
Buddhist religious ceremony, the Buddhist priest
holds a Vajra on his right hand and a bell on
the other.
Bell The sound of a bell in Hindu philosophy
symbolizes the Nata-Brahma (seed-sound) originating
from Brahma, the Supreme Being. The ringing
of a bell has always been an integral part of
prayers for most religions in Nepal. We find
bells in every temple and thus, it is of importance
to every religion.
Prayer Wheel
Almost every Buddhist temple has prayer wheels,
which was introduced by Tibetans. These cylindrical
wheels have prayers carved on them. The proyer
seen in almost all prayer wheel is am mani padme
hum. (I bow down to the divine jewel or Buddha
seated on the lotus).
Sukunda
Sukunda is a traditional Nepal aoil lamp made
of brass. The front part of a Sukunda is shaped
like the god Ganesha, the god of success and
good luck. It has a tiny cup to put the wick
and a fascinating loop handle designed with
a five-headed serpent raising its head. It also
has a small spoon, with the naga-kanya atop,
used for replenishing the oil from the reservoir.
the artistic work on this traditional lamp reflects
the remote past of a very famous Buddhist legend
about a Naga (snake) and a lake.
A long time ago Kathmandu valley was a lake
inhabited by snakes. in the middle of the lake,
there was a beautiful flame of a lotus with
a thousand petals. Buddha Mahamanjushree after
hearing about it rushed to the valley, all the
way from china, and he drained the lake by striking
his magic sword at the southern hill of the
valley leaving the valley open to all. The most
famous Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath is believed
to have originated from the same legendary lotus-flame.
In Newari language sukunda means a beautiful
lake. It is said that the oil reservoir of a
sukund represents the legendary lake, its mouth
with the unfolded lotus motif represents the
lotus with a thousand petals and the cup attached
to it in which the lamp is lighted represents
the self-existent divine flame. The lord Gonesha
in front represents the great guru who is there
to teach everyone the supreme acts of god. No
ceremony in Nepal is initiated with out the
lighting of the Sukunda.
Khaddalu
This traditional lamp is abit different from
the Sukunda. Khaadalu, in Newari, mearts a hanging
window lamp. Many years ago, when there was
no electricity, these lamps were used for lighting
shrines and the streets of Kathmandu. We can
still see these oriental brass lamps, with a
few mythical dragons watchfully guarding its
flame from both sides, hung in many old houses
but they are only lighted on festive occasions.
As the age-old custom has it, only housewives
are supposed to light this lamp and many still
have faith in the myth that if this lamp were
not lighted after it gets Goad laxmi, the goddess
of wealth, would be displeased.
'Shubham bhavatu kalyanom aarogya dhanasampati
mamashatru vinashaya deepaiyot namastute"
an old prayer recited while lighterning the
Khadaalu means you the great doer of welfare
for your devotees, the one who bestows upon
us health, happiness, wealth and the destruction
of our enemies (darkness and ingorance). Salutation
to you, the great divine light.
Janai
Janai, a holy thread, worn around the neck
by Brahmins and Chetris denotes Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva. It is believed that all the three
gods reside in the holy thread making it a divine.
The mantra to invoke the desired diet begins
with the word 'Aum" it is believed that
the one who realizes the significance of this
mantra will easily reach god.
Sagun
According to a very old Nepali tradition a
person planning a journey first consults on
astrologer to figure out the right time for
the person to begin a journey. Then on the day
fixed for the person to leave the person's family
organizes a farewell ceremony the main highlight
of which is a ritual dish (sagun) which is supposed
to bring the person good luck. Sagun is the
ritual dish which consists of a boiled eggs,
a thick round is usually given accompanied either
by alcohol or yogurt and a vermilion mark on
his/her forehead locally called Teeko.
Makara Motif
Makara, meaning crocodile in Sanskrit, is a
traditional motif used in decorative art, which
is very common in Nepal. This motif can be found
used in Nepali temple toranas (tympanums), traditional
water and wine jars, spouts bronze containers,
jewelry etc.
The makara is shown having watchful eyes, very
sharp teeth, flaming lips, two little legs ad
at times it is shown having a tough scaly body,
four legs and a long floriated tail. Makara
is more symbol of a flow of water from the mouth
of makara in spouts reflects the cycle of relation.
Brahma
Brahma, the self created god of creation, is
said to have created the cosmos Brahma, in art
forms, is depicted a god having a long beard,
radiant skin, wearing while robes, with four
arms and at times mounted on a goose.
Legend has it that this event urged him to
create a new world for himself. After the world
was created he started feeling unbearably lonely,
so, he created a female partner for himself
with whom he fell in love at very first sight.
The female (also identified as Savitri and Saraswati),
who was extremely beautiful, was awfully embarrassed
because of Brahama's passionate behavior towards
her. She tried to run away from Brahma, would
spring up. The female finding no other alternative
sprang up toward the sky and another head of
brahma sprung up. Brahma grabbed the helpless
female who was his caught as well as wife in
this way Brahma got his five heads but it is
believed that his fifth head was cut off as
a punishment for his sinful affair with his
wife daughter.
Indra
Indra, traditionally regarded as the god of
heaven. The vedas describe him as the valiant
fighter who destroys devils and drought and
gives people rain and food. This could be the
reason for his popularity. The Purans too speak
highly of Indra, often dramatizing his numerous
battles against devils.
Indra Jatra is a very famous festival celebrated
in to honor of Indra.
Saraswati
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and fine
arts, is often portrayed having a pure white
form seated on a full blown lotus or mounted
on a Hansa (swan), The Hansa is often regarded
as our inner-consciousness and s said to be
capable of driving away Avidya or ignorance.
Anong and is said to be capable of driving away
Avidya or ignorance. Among her four arms the
two lower arms are shown playing the veena and
the upper hands are shown holding a book and
a rosary. Manjushree, the Buddhist goddess of
knowledge and inner-vision is also worshipped
equally as saraswati is worshipped among the
Hindus.
Saraswati puja is a festival celebrated during
spring by students. According to an age-old
tradition a young child is introduced to alphabets
for the first time on this day.
KUMARI 0r (the living goddess)
Kumari, the virgin goddess, represents the
state deity of Nepal known as Teleju and is
said to be the incarnation of kanya Kumari.
A kumari Candidate is selected for a highly
honered Hindu temple from a Buddhist family
of Shakya clan. Once she is selected, she is
highly honored by both Hindus and Buddhists
including the king. She has taken out of her
temple to participate in several festivals.
Once a Kumari attains puberty, she loses this
divine status and the selection for another
Kumari begins and she is made to leave the temple.
The famous Kumari temple is situated right
across the historical Gaddi Baithak Hall at
Basantapur in Kathmandu. There are different
Kumaris in Patan, Bhaktapur, Bungmati, Thimi
and other Newar towns.
Hanuman
Hanumana or the monkey god is worshipped as
the god of protection. He is said to be full
of shakti or strength, thus, his whole body
is shown to be red. He symbolizes courage, strength
and loyalty. The statues of Hanumana are found
in most palaces.
The Images of the Hanumana always show him
with closed eyes. It is said that the never
married and does not like seeing females, expectably
unmarried female. People believe that he can
destroy them if he catches sight of them.
DHAYANI BUDDHA'S
The five Dhayani Buddha's- Vairochanda, Akshobbaya,
Rathasambhaya, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi, represent
the five basic elements of which the world is
made-earth, fire, water, wind and ether. These
Buddha's, described as the progenitors of the
five kulas, or families, termed as Dvesa, Moha,
Raga, Chintamani and Samaya, are associated
with the fulfillment of desire as well as the
attainment of Nirvana. Buddhist philosophy conceives
these gods to be the manifestation of Sunya
or absolute void.
We often find the images of the Dhayani Buddha's
in Stupas. Akshobhaya is placed facing the east,
Amitabha facing the west, Amoghasiddhi facing
south, Rathansambhava facing north and vairochana
in the center. Except for Vairochana, which
is considered to be the preciding deity of a
stupa, central Buddha is either hidden or seated
next to Akshobhaya.
Though there are only five Dhyani Buddha's
sometimes an additional Dhayani Buddha the Vajrasattva
is also included. Vajrasattva is regarded as
the priest among the Dhayani Buddha's and is
seen holding a Vajra on his right hand and a
ghanta (bell) on the left.
Ganesh
Ganesha, the god of good luck, wisdom and success,
is very popular deity worshipped by both Hindus
as well as Buddhist's in Nepal. The figure of
Ganesha is childlike and unique as it has an
elephant head, a big round belly, an exceptionally
short body and four or more hands. His upper
right hand holds a hook, representing the right
path to follow, and the lower hand is seen holding
noose, representing self restrain. The rosary
on his third lower hand represents concentration,
which is very important for the development
of spiritual knowledge, and his lower fur hands
are in a gesture that assures his devotees fearlessness,
indicating that he is the protector.
A religious text describes the bulky body of
Ganesh as he cosmos and his elephant-like shape
as the embodiment of cosmic intelligence. A
legend has it that he even broke his most valued
tusk so that Vedic, a great Hindu Vedic writer,
could write could write the Mahabharat.
KUMARI
The god Kumara, The brother of Ganesh, has
six heads representing the six senses (including
the extra sensory perception). Kumara has six
different names.- Kartiyeka, Gangeya, Skanda,
Sarrvanabha, Sadahana and Subrrahmanya. Kumara.
It is believed that he was born from the eye
of lord Shiva. Hence, making him the eternal
child of divine wisdom.
The work shipping of Kumara begins with the
cleaning of the house with cow-dung mixed with
red clay. Then a figure of a lotus with six
petals is drawn with yellow rice powder and
vermilion. According to Hindu Pundits, the six
Chakras inherent in the human body is the medium
thought which Kundalini is to transfer its energy
into the Samadhi or Yoga.
On special festivals young boys are made the
kumara and are taken out in procession. The
main kumara festival is Kumara sasthi, which
falls on May. On this festival cleaning of the
neighborhood is an important event besides the
procession.
LAXMI
Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and the consort
of lord Vishnu. Laxmi is among the most worshipped
of all gods and goddesses in Nepal. One of the
most important festivals, among the multitude
of Nepali festivals, is Laxmi Puja. Laxmi puga
is significant for those who celebrate it for
it gives them a reason to hope for financial
progress in the years to come. The celebration
is usually done with elaborate preparations.
Lights play a huge role during Laxmi Puja since
it is celebrated at night. Oil fed clay lamps
are kept burning throughout the night. Laxmi
puja is also known as the festival of lights.
Makaala
Mahakaala is one of the highly fascinating
Vajrayana Buddhist deties. In art forms the
deity is portrayed as dark, dwarfed and big
bellied, with a mukta or headdress with skulls
set in and a garland of human heads. He holds
a Kurti (flaying knier) in his right hand and
a kapala (a skull cup) on the other. He has
three eyes, opened wide gaveling him a fierce
look, and teeth dripping blood. He wears tiger
skin as girdle and snakes as various ornaments.
Though he looks fierce, he is said to be very
king hearted.
According to sadhanmala, a very old Buddhist
test, the number of arms and heads mahakaala
would have depended on the nature of purpose
he was called for. He could have one face with
two, four or six arms or even eight faces with
sixteen arms. It is popularly believed that
his fierce look is not to scare every other
person but to scare away evil.
Rato Machhendra or Bunga Dyo
The Buddhist rain-god, Bhunga dyo or Rato Machindra
is also known as Karunamaya Lokeshwara (The
most compassionate god of the universe Bunga
Dyo is worshipped in its male as well as female
from like umaneshwara, Laxminarayan, Praynaopaya
and so on. There are two temples of Machhendra,
one is at Bungmati, which is about 8 km away
from Kathmandu and one is at Patan.
The Festival of Bhunga dyo begins every on the
first day of Baishakh (March- April) and continues
for a month or so. Since Nepal is an agricultural
country the monsoons are very important for
the Nepalese. This festival frees the farmers
from worries about not getting ample amount
of rain as this festival implies the worship
of the rain god. During this festival a chariot
carrying the machindra is pulled and thousands
of people participate.
Bheemasena
Bheemasena is one of the heroes of the Mahabharata
and the god of trade and commerce. Bheemasena
is portryed in images as a red-faced deity with
angry eyes and a thick black moustache. He is
often shown lifting a horse in the air and pressing
an elephant under his knee with a guge cobra
and a lion watching in awe. This fierceness
in his images is meant to symbolize his determination
to kill Dushshasan, his enemy who had insulted
Draupadi by trying to denude her in public.
Nepali traders worship Bheemanena widely. Several
guthi's (a sort is trust) are devoted to the
regular service of this deity. One of the most
remarkable statues of Bheemasena can be seen
in Patan Bheemasena Temple built by Shreenivas
Malla in the early 18th century.
Krishna
Krishna is by far the most widely worshipped
around the world. The devotees of Lord Krishna
take him to be spiritual guide, a kumarayogi,
a highly perfected man of good action, a supreme
statesman, a protector of the poor, an eternal
lover and so on. He is taken to be a versatile
divinity. In art forms Krishna is depicted as
a divine lover of cow headdresses. Though, his
love is different from that of mortals as the
single minded devotion between the cow hairdresser’s
and the lord is supposed to symbolize the single-minded
devotion to god.
It is believed that Krishna could put all his
devotes into a trance by playing his magic flute.
In art forms he is shown holding a flute in
his hand and his leg slightly bent in tribhanga
mudra. This gesture represents his involvement
in Karma-yoga (continual action) which keeps
the world in order, So, our saints call him
the Karma-yogi, the highly perfected man and
the god of action. The Geeta is a divine fight
of Lord Krishna for the people of he world who
aspire for illuminating inner vision.
VISHNU
In his various forms of incarnation:
Vishnu Dhama Purana (an old Hindu text) describes
Vishnu as the preserver of the universe and
the upholder of Dharma. According to the Geeta,
whenever lord Vishnu sees Dharma declining,
the weak and innocent suffering, he comes down
in different forms of incarnation to undo the
wrong. The different incarnations of Vishnu
could be:
1. Matsya-The Fish
Vishnu in the form of a Fish saved Manu, the
first founder of human civilization, from a
terrifying flood. The flood is said to have
been caused by Hayagriva, the most cruel sea-monster
dwelling deep in the ocean with innumerable
fierce marine animals.
2. Kachhap or Kurma- The tortise
When Vishnu saw the sins of Danavas or devils
weighing down the earth he assumed the form
of a tortoise and dived deep into the sea to
raise the earth on his back and changed the
earth to its natural self.
3. Varaha - The Boar
When a demon named Hiranyakashyapa drowned the
earth, Vishnu rushed to rescue the earth incarnated
as a Boar (Varaha). He plunged into the water
and rescued the earth killing the demon.
4. Narasimha- Man-lion
Vishnu, in this incamation killed Hiranyakashyapa
by tearing open his stomach for his attempt
to kill his own son-Prahlad, the most sincere
devotee of the Lord Vishnu.
5. Vamana - Dwarf Brahman
In this Avatar (incarnation) Vishnu reclaimed
the earth from Mahabali, the lord of all the
three worlds, by visiting Bali in this avatar
and asking him to give the land measured by
three steps. As soon as Bali agreed he got back
to himself and in three steps covered the universe
and won it.
6. Parashurama
The heroic Brahmin with a militant personality
Vishnu in this form, with an axe on his hand
and a bow on the next, is said to have annihilated
all the "Kshatryas" (warrior class)
in 22 battles.
7. Rama-The highly perfected human-god
Vishnu incarnated as Rama, the ideal king and
the hero of the Ramayana, killed the king of
demons- Ravana.
8. Krishna - The most widely
worshipped incarnation of Vishanu
This incarnation of Vishanu killed the ogress
Punta whent she tried to kille him by feeding
him poisoned milk when he was a child. Later,
Krishna subdued the ost fatal cobra - Kaliya.
9. Buddha - the supreme teacher
Buddha, the enlightened one, was born in Lumbeni
of Nepal at about 563 B.C. This incarnation
of Vishnu was burning to guide suffering souls
to the right direction. He has taught lessons
of humanity, truth and peace.
10. Kalaki ro Kali- The last incarnation.
The last incarnation of Vishnu has come, but
people believe that it will appear at the ent
of the Kaliyug. It is believed that this incarnation
of Vishnu will come mounted on a horse, killing
all the evil and saving only pious souls.
