Trishul Jatra, Devapatan

Trishul Jatra is one of the oldest festivals of Newar community which is celebrated on the day of Bhalbhala Astami every year at Devapatan(near Pashupatinath temple). Locals will bring three palanquins carrying children one from Jayabageshowri, next from Bhuwaneshwori and the third from Bathsaleshwori to Pashupati Aryaghat. The festival is toured throughout the ancient city with children balanced between the spikes of Trishul, the weapon of Lord Shiva. The festival looks little scary as if the Trishul is piercing the child’s body while placing the child on the top of the palanquin.  It is belief that in ancient time a demon used to trouble the children and people of the community, so in return local people pierced the children of demon in a spike and toured the town after that demon hadn’t trouble the community. So it is said that the festival continues to scare the demon with people scolding and using offensive words towards demon. Some people believe that their children will be blessed by good health after participation in this ritual.

Photos/Text : Sunil Sharma