The historic Nrisingha Jatra, held in Patan since the reign of Malla King Siddhinarasingh, has concluded. This annual festival takes place on Bhadra Krishna Panchami and was celebrated on Thursday this year.
The Jatra is observed with prayers for protection from divine calamities and for world peace. Among the Rajopadhyay community of Lalitpur, the responsibility for organizing the festival rotates according to seniority, ensuring all aspects of management are properly handled.
This year, the festival was organized by the family of Madhur Sharma Rajopadhyay from Gabahal. The procession commemorates Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar slaying the demon Hiranyakashipu, featuring traditional music, devotional songs, and a city-wide parade in Lalitpur.
During the procession, devotees walk backward like Prahlada while offering incense to Narasimha. Traditionally, Lakshmi and Saraswati accompany Narasimha on either side, and two pairs of young girls also participate in the ritual.
The festival sees the officiating priest, son-in-law, or nephew of the organizer enact Narasimha and lead the procession through Patan’s historic Saparu route.
The parade includes musical bands and devotional performances as the deity and accompanying figures travel through areas including Gabahal, Pimbahal, Bangalamukhi, Kobahal, Mangalbazar, Sundhara, Ikubahal, Mahabouddha, Tangal, Tichhu Galli, Hougal, Ikhalkhu, and Purnachandi. At various stops, the deities are worshipped, and children are blessed as part of the ritual.
In Lalitpur, there are two forms of Narasimha: the fierce form featured in Kartik Naach and the peaceful form in Upalakshya Sayah.
Records indicate that this Jatra has been celebrated since Nepal Sambat 751, corresponding to Vikram Samvat 1688.
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