Dipankha Yatra

Dipankha Yatra

Dipankha Yatra

Dipankha Yatra: World’s Largest Religious Walkathon

Dipankha Yatra is possibly the world’s largest religious walkathon of “Neel Thu” (Blue Horned Oxen) associated with the legend of Dipankar (one of the 14 Buddhas). According to the lunar calendar, it takes place only when five auspicious astronomical and astrological features coincide on one day. It is considered one of the longest journeys where devotees travel 60 to 62 km on foot, taking nearly 25 to 30 hours. The procession symbolizes religious tolerance among Hindus and Buddhists, as devotees visit 131 temples and monasteries around the Kathmandu Valley.

This year, the Yatra falls on the 18th of October, 2013, coinciding with Suarmas Sankranti, Chandramas Purnima, Rewati Nachytra, and Harshan Yog. In the Nepali calendar, it is on the 1st of Kartik, on Kojagrat Purnima of Dashain. Dipankha Yatra is also a precious walkathon where devotees earn the dharma equivalent to one tola of gold with each footstep. Hence, devotees who join the procession are believed to accumulate good deeds equivalent to earning one tola (11.664 grams) of gold per step. It is believed to be a 900-year-old religious ceremony conducted from Nagbahal.

The Legend behind the Dipankha Yatra

The legend tells the story of Lord Shakyamuni in one of his previous births when he was born as a spotless white bull with bluish horns, known in the Newar language as “Neel Thusa” (Blue Bull Calf). Though born as a bull, his meritorious deeds made him compassionate, friendly, joyous, and always helpful to suffering creatures. As he grew, he developed reverence for Lord Buddha and his teachings. After days of wandering and doing good deeds, he would come to pay homage to Lord Buddha.

Once, while helping suffering creatures, he was late to report for his duty of paying homage to Lord Dipankara Buddha. It was dawn when he was on his way to the monastery. He hid nearby, shining brightly all around. Some people saw the blue bull and witnessed it turning into stone, but mysteriously, there was a mandala where it petrified.

This occurred on the auspicious full moon day of Aswin (September–October), coinciding with a lunar eclipse and the astrological event Harshana. The local people regarded it as a sacred and auspicious occasion to worship the blue bull calf.

The Five Astrological Features

  1. Sauryamas Sankranti (First day in the solar calendar)
  2. Chandramas Purnima (Full moon)
  3. Rewati Nachytra (An astrological event)
  4. Harshan Yog (An astrological event)
  5. Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse)

Outline of Places Visited (Map of Dipankha)

The procession visits 131 sites, starting from Neel Thu (Nagbahal), followed by:

  • Kumbeshwar
  • Krishna Mandir (Mangal Bazar)
  • Karya Binayak (Bungamati)
  • Anandadi Lokeshwor (Chobaha)
  • Hasapota Ganesh (Jhamsikhel)
  • Ashok Binayak (Maru)
  • Ichangu Narayan
  • Pula Swayambhu (Old Swayambhu)
  • Vayupur
  • Swayambhu Mahachaitya
  • Indrayani
  • Naxal Bhagwati
  • Khasti Chaitya (Boudhanath)
  • Gujeshwori
  • Ashok Chaitya (Lagankhel)

Photo credit: Sanju Dongol | Source: Wikimedia Commons | Duke Nepal