The Nanee

26/08/2026

In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Neighbour ❤️

Our oldest neighbour, Mr. Biku Narayan Matang, a kind, friendly, and truly hospitable soul, will always be remembered for the warmth he shared with everyone around him.

Even at 90, he carried a smile that welcomed people like family. Through every season of life, he reminded us of a simple but powerful lesson: "Life may be difficult, but we should find happiness in every circumstance."

His wisdom, gentle spirit, and joyful presence will remain a cherished part of our neighbourhood and our hearts.

Rest in peace, Hajurba.

25/08/2026

In many cultures, grief is a private affair behind closed doors. But in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, grief is carried into the streets, shared, and ultimately transformed by the entire community.

Saparu, known elsewhere in Nepal as G*i-Jatra, is held every August to bid farewell to family members who have passed away over the last year. Rooted in the belief that the departed have journeyed onward to a better realm, it is not merely an act of mourning, but one of love and joyous release.

While the rest of the country observes this in a single day, Bhaktapur honors the cycle of life with an extraordinary 8-day celebration. Families prepare the Taha Macha, bamboo effigies dressed in the garments of the departed, and carry them through the city’s ancient routes. What begins in quiet remembrance gradually opens into Ghintang Ghisi dances, costumes, satire, feasting and collective joy.

From witnessing the making of the Taha Macha to walking the ancient routes and partaking in traditional Newari feasts, experiencing Saparu with The Nanee is a chance to understand and connect with Bhaktapur’s rich traditions and enduring sense of community.

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*ijatraFestival

24/08/2026

Celebrate Sa: Paru (G*i Jatra) with The Nanee, Bhaktapur.

4 days to go.......

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*ijatraFestival

17/08/2026

Naga Panchami: Honoring the Guardians of Water and Home
Today 17th August, the streets and homes of Bhaktapur celebrate Naga Panchami, a tradition that has been woven into the city's living heritage for generations.
In Newar households, sacred images of the serpent deity are placed above doorways as prayers for protection from lightning, floods, and misfortune during the monsoon. Offerings of milk, flowers, and sacred grass express gratitude to the Nagas, referred guardians of water, fertility, and prosperity.
In a city shaped by ancient hiti pranali (stone water spouts), ponds, and centuries-old traditions, this festival reminds us of the deep connection between nature, community, and everyday life.
From all of from The Nanee, we wish you a blessed Naga Panchami.

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13/08/2026

Gunla Parva: Discover the spiritual essence of Gunla Parva in Bhaktapur, where ancient rituals and sacred music come alive!!

Gunla Parva is the tenth month in the Nepal Sambat lunar calendar, corresponding to August in the Gregorian calendar. It is a holy month for Newar Buddhists, who observe it by Reciting scriptures, Observing fasts, Visiting places of worship while playing devotional music. During the whole month, Buddhists go and visit different monasteries like Namo buddha, Swyambhunath, Boudhanath, Bajrayogini and many other big and small monasteries.
Gunla Parva is one of the most important events in Newar Buddhism. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreat started by the Buddha, when monks stayed in one place and taught the Dharma. Gunla Parva is seen as an opportunity to accumulate Dhamma (religion) by Buddhists of all three sects - Hinayana, Mahayana, and Bajrayana.
In Bhaktapur, Gunla Parva features unique traditions distinct from other regions. Key practices include:
Panchadan Ritual: On the last day of Gunla, five sacred items (rice, unhusked rice, salt, money, and pulses) are donated, often sourced from personal harvests.
Gunla Baja Music: A special musical ensemble, the Gunla Baja, is played throughout the month, enhancing the festival's atmosphere.
Procession of the Five Buddhas: The Five Buddhas are brought to Taumadhi Square, accompanied by traditional music, marking a significant cultural celebration.
This year, Panchadan Ritual shall be celebrated on 9th Of September 2026.

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10/08/2026

Gathamuga Charhe: Beginning of The Festive Season

Tomorrow, 11th August 2026, We are celebrating “Guthamunga Charhe” a significant festival observed by the Newar community in Bhaktapur. This festival, deeply rooted in ancient traditions, serves as a symbol of community unity and gratitude for the blessings of agriculture. Gatha Muga Cha: Re symbolises the sign of the beginning of the festive season. Plus, the start of the reincarnation process of Nava Durga deities.
After Bhagasti, people start to get busy with rice plantations and so related agricultural work. Within that monsoon period, playing musical instruments, gets sidelined due to their busy schedules. The city of festivals, music, and dance abruptly turns out into an agro-focused city. Thus, this day( Gathemangal) as the first festival of the year, again connects everyone with their musical instruments .
Gathamangal holds great cultural importance within the Newar community, as it represents the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated on Shrawan Krishna Chaturdashi, the festival involves the burning of a three-legged effigy of the demon Ghantakarna, who was known for kidnapping individuals and demanding ransoms. This symbolic act signifies the community's victory over malevolent forces and is accompanied by purification rituals, such as cleaning homes and offering traditional foods like Samaybaji. Furthermore, Gathamangal not only marks the conclusion of the rice planting season but also serves as a precursor to upcoming festivals, strengthening community bonds and reinforcing cultural identity.

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Pic Credit: Bikash Khadgi

29/07/2026

Can ancient spiritual texts teach us about sustainable urban planning? The answer lies in the Kathmandu Valley.

During our recent "Khala Bala: The Nanee Dialogue," Prof. Dr. Sudarsan Raj Tiwari and Mr. Mrigendra Raj Subedi as main speakers along with heritage architects ,historians and other Enthusiast unpacked the genius behind the layout of historical Bhaktapur. Centuries ago, indigenous planners and kings utilized Ta***ic cosmic maps (like the Sri Yantra) to define city boundaries. By strategically placing shrines—known as the Ashtamatrika—around the city's perimeter, they created a protected trapezoidal boundary that merged civic infrastructure with cultural preservation.
This deep integration of ritual, community, and geography ensured that every citizen remained deeply connected to the land. As modern cities struggle with isolation and sprawl, there is immense value in studying these ancient models of cohesive, purposeful urban design. Heritage conservation isn't just about saving old buildings; it's about remembering how to build communities.

Presentation Credit: Prof. Dr. Sudarsan Raj Tiwari

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18/07/2026

06/07/2026

“BHAGASTI: THE DAY SYMBOLISING THE DEATH OF THE GODS”

The Navadurga Dance is a profound cultural practice that exemplifies the life cycle of living beings, symbolizing that everything, including gods and goddesses, has an end. This ritual, sustained by the Nava Durga Gana of Bhaktapur, brings the Navadurga to life during Dashain and culminates with their symbolic death on Bhagasti. The powerful Navadurga deities, who manifest for eight months, see their earthly journey end on this day.
On the day of Bhagasti, the divine ta***ic energies leave their humanoid bodies and the masks of Navadurga are cremated at Bramhayani. The energies are then believed to be transferred to a special thread worn by Bhaktapur's residents, distributing the power among them. A portion of the ashes is then dispersed into the waters of the Hanumante River, believed to bless the waters that nourish the rice fields. This act marks the end of the deities' earthly presence, and following this, the people of Bhaktapur cease singing bhajans and playing musical instruments until Gatha Muga Cha: re. During this period, the city transitions from a hub of festivals and music to a focus on agriculture.
Gatha Muga Cha: re signals the reincarnation of the Navadurga deities. The cycle completes when the thread is removed on Dashami at Bramhayani, and the divine power is transferred back to the new masks made from the previous year's ashes, restarting the Navadurga cycle. This profound ritual underscores the continuous flow of life energy and the cyclical nature of existence. Bhagasti lands on July 7th this year — it shifts yearly with the lunar calendar.

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Pic Credit: Bikash Khadgi