The Gumlā festival, observed especially by Buddhist devotees, concluded on Sunday. The festival, which begins every year on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shrawan, ended today.
The festival runs from Gumlāthwa Pāru to Yenlāthwa Pāru (the 11th month in the Nepal Sambat calendar) and is celebrated with great significance by the Newar Buddhist community. Throughout the month, devotees worship the Buddha, circumambulate various stupas and monasteries, and recite the Namasaṅgīti scriptures.
In particular, the Newar community of Kathmandu celebrates the festival with daily traditional musical processions to major Buddhist sites, including the Swayambhu Mahachaitya. According to belief, circumambulating stupas and monasteries each morning during this month absolves one of sins. Special traditional instruments such as Dhā Baja, Mwayeli, and Neku Baja hold great importance during the festival.
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