World Day Against Rabies
World Day Against Rabies. Today, September 28, World Day Against Rabies, commemorates the death of Louis Pasteur, a French microbiologist. The vaccine against the rabies virus is his contribution to all of us. In 1885, Louis Pasteur created the vaccine against the rabies virus also known as LyssaVirus after researching it for years. World Day Against Rabies is celebrated to commemorate his contribution to saving many human lives. Rabies virus is a disease transmitted from animals to humans. This dangerous disease or virus is mainly transmitted by the bite of a dog, stray dogs, and other suspicious animals. The virus is transmitted to a dog from the wild animal bite having rabies and then it spreads to humans through its bite. The virus is transmitted through its saliva during the bite. Rabies, a disease transmitted from animals to humans, makes it difficult for people to survive it. Rabies is derived from the Latin word “rabir” meaning “anger”. Mankind has been plagued by rabies since ancient times. The Mesopotamian Law of Eshnunna also mentions rabies around 2200 BC. Similarly, the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) also described rabies as “the madness of dogs” in his book, A History of Animals. Before Louis Pasteur, an Italian physician, Girolamo Fracastoro, discovered rabies as a deadly disease in the 16th century and called it an “incurable wound.” The occurrence of rabies in the Asian subcontinent is also believed to have taken place around the Vedic period (1500-500 BC). In Sanskrit, rabies comes from an ancient word “rabhas” which means “to cause violence”. The Rabies Lyssavirus kills 55,000 people worldwide each year. Rabies transmitted to humans through dog bites can also be transmitted by animal lick in existing skin lesions. Research has also shown that organ transplants, such as eye and kidney, can also spread the virus to the recipient. Therefore, organ transplants from people who have died of rabies should not be used. Humans with rabies as well as dogs go crazy. People with rabies have symptoms such as hydrophobia (fear of water), screaming, squealing, scratching, drooling, numbness, and rigidness of the hands and knees. A rabies dog hides its tail under its legs and is barked at as well by other dogs. A rabies-infected dog can be seen walking around drooling. One should be aware even more of such dogs. In the event of a bite from an animal infected with the rabies virus, the wound should be cleaned immediately with soap and water. In case of unavailability of soap, the wound needs to be cleaned in clean running water for at least 15 minutes. And, the patient needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible to be vaccinated against rabies. Regularly vaccinating a pet dog and avoiding the bite of a stray dog prevents rabies. Similarly, in case of bites by wild animals such as foxes, cats, bats, etc., vaccination against rabies should be taken immediately. Rabies is a global problem but its burden is felt more in underdeveloped countries of Asia and Africa. In Nepal, rabies has killed 32 people, including about 500 animals, in recent years. Rabies in Nepal. In Nepal alone, about 30,000 animals are vaccinated every year as a rabies prevention measure. According to the World Strategic Plan, the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce human mortality from dog-borne rabies to zero by the year 2030. Avoiding rabies means being safe from animal bites, especially from dog bites. To avoid rabies, bite from stray dogs should be avoided. According to doctors, one needs to be vigilant of the dogs and get vaccinated against rabies immediately in case of a dog bite. That is why everyone needs to be careful and vaccinate their pet dog against rabies as well. It is wrong to think the bite was from a small dog or the wound is small so there is no need to be vaccinated. It is mandatory to be vaccinated against rabies, whether it is a small wound or a large one, or even if the dog was small or big. Either way, one needs to get inoculated against rabies in case of a dog bite. Although it is not yet known whether rabies is transmitted through the consumption of milk and cooked meat, but their consumption especially from rabies-infected animals is discouraged. As per the dog census in Nepal done during the year 1998, there were around 2 million dogs in the country. This calculation was made by the National Zoonose and Food Hygiene Research Center. In 1999, a study showed that there were 1,70,000 stray dogs in the Kathmandu Valley alone. In the case of rabies contraction, the mortality rate is high. But it can be completely prevented by vaccination against the disease before its onset. The Laboratory for the Production of Rabies Vaccine (RVPL) in Nepal was started in 1970. It produced the first Nepali anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) in the country. The National Vaccine Production Laboratory (NVPL), formerly known as RVPL, is estimated to have produced 120,000 doses/vials of rabies vaccine in Nepal during the year 2019. Vaccination against the virus is the main link in reducing the number of rabies in animals as well as in humans. The same rule applies to any kind of virus, whether it is Rabies or Corona 19 virus. Considering the number of streets and domestic dogs present, it is very necessary to increase the amount of vaccine production in the country. Nepal is also a member of the “Joint Efforts Against Rabies” formed in 2015 by organizations such as the WHO, FAO, OIE, and GARC. Its goal is to eradicate rabies from dogs’ bites in the world by the year 2030. Accordingly, Nepal is working to eradicate rabies with the slogan “Zero rabies by 2030”. A concrete effort is needed to control and eradicate rabies, which is a threat to human health, including animals. The goal of turning the slogan “Zero Rabies by 2030” into a reality will be possible only through the joint efforts of all stakeholders in the country. Only when the country continues to vaccinate all its citizens, and people get it abiding by the rules set forth then we will be able to defeat rabies or any other deadly life-threatening viruses. World Day Against Rabies. Source: Compiled by Nepali Patro from different rabies-related articles and linked articles available on the Internet.
Chonam (Nwagi) Parva
Chonam (Nwagi) Parva. Chonam (Nwagi) Festival. Today, 22 of Bhadra, is the important day of the Chonam (Nwagi) Parva/festival. Chonam (Nwagi) festival is the main festival of the Chepang tribe/community. Chepang community is one of the indigenous tribes among 59 of them (known till now) of Nepal listed by the Government of Nepal. The Chepang tribe is also known as Nature Worshiper, and they have 22 genealogies (as per Chepang experts), because of this reason and belief Chonam (Nwagi) Parva is celebrated on 22 of Bhadra. Chonam (Nwagi) Parva (Festival) is also celebrated by the people of the Karnali region. In those regions, Chonam (Nwagi) festival is also found as considered to be their New Year. Chonam (Nwagi) Parva / festival is celebrated in various places like Chitwan, Dhading, Makwanpur, and Gorkha, which are densely populated by the Chepang community or tribe. This festival is celebrated during the month of Bhadra when the new crops and fruits are ripe and ready for consumption. In the past, on the full moon day of Bhadra, the Chepangs used to invite Shaman (Jhankri) known as Pande/Pandey in their local dialect. These Jhankri called are from their own caste and the purpose of this invitation was/is for them to play Ek Mukhe Dhyangro (a kind of a drum made from wood and animal skin but open on one side) whole night to pray and worship the deceased ancestors of the family. But after 2068 this festival date changed and is celebrated on Bhadra 22 which also is a day to start eating new grains from the new crop. It is also a custom in the chepang community to sacrifice chicken on this occasion. According to the census of 2068 BS, the Chepang community is living in 26 districts of the country and their population is estimated to be 67,903. During the Chonam (Nwagi) festival existing as a religious and cultural festival of Chepang, after the ancestral worship by the Shaman (Pande) whole night and offering the new crops and fruits, etc to ancestors. The family member then consumes or eats new food only after offering new grains and fruits to them first. Since there is a religious belief that if the new food is not offered to the forefather first, the people will contract diseases. Therefore, in today’s Nwagi worship, new food/grains/fruits, etc are offered to the forefather first and then only consumed by family members/others. Chonam (Nwagi) festival is also called “Pandei Ghya Sa” (Pitru Manchaune) by the Chepang community. Similarly, the Chepangs call this festival Chonam as this is the day when this community starts eating the new food of the year. This festival, which is celebrated especially in the Chepang-dominated areas, Sponge Gourd (Ghiraunla), Snake Gourd (Chichindo), Banana, Ginger, Ghaiya paddy (planted in a dry place which gets ready in Bhadra), etc. are offered to the forefather. On the occasion of this festival, during the night the Jhankri chants Tantra Mantra all night worshipping the forefathers accompanied by the beats of the drum (dhyangro). This puja worship is called off or ends only in the early morning. At the conclusion of the puja or worship, Jhankri invokes the Chepang deity and gives an offering of tika (round sacred dot on the forehead) made of fresh Ghaiya rice to all the members of the household. During this tika ceremony, Pande prays to the Chepang god and offers tika saying, “Let those who have long age let them live a good and happy life, and do increase the age of those having a short life”. In this way, after the Nwagi Puja celebration and getting offerings from the Jhankri it is customary to enjoy the new grains and fruits with lots of enjoyment/entertainment at every household. In this way, it is customary as a celebration of Nwagi to have a feast together, talk, and exchange about happiness and sorrow to each other staying up all night dancing, and having fun. The Chepang people, who usually live on the hill slopes, celebrate Chonam (Nwagi) festival with great fervor as food grain including maize, paddy, and fruits planted on those slopes get ripe during this month. In this festival, Chepang worships the land god with Ghaiya rice, Taro/Arum (Pindalu), Citrus Aurantifolia (Nibuwa), and other fruits and offers them to their forefather or ancestors. Chonam (Nwagi) is a festival regarded as a celebration of mutual brotherhood and friendship. In this festival, it is a traditional custom to invite one’s neighbors, relatives, family, etc., and to have a group feast. On the occasion of the festival, dances are performed and songs are sung. With songs and dances happiness and sorrow are exchanged. Chepangs practice/ follow natural/nature religion thus are known as nature worshipers. Their livelihood is closely linked with the forest as they survive consuming a kind of jungle yam which also gives flowers, these flowers can be used for meditational use (Bhyakur) or Gittha, etc called Gittha in Nepali or Khas Language “Air potato” was slowly being forgotten before as it was poor normal peoples food, i.e Chepangs food. But nowadays it is slowly, steadily, and gradually becoming a popular food item by the Nepali society. Gittha growing in a creeper plant covered by its vines, Bhyakkur (a kind of a jungle yam) Kandamul (taro and sweet potatoes), etc because of which they have a perfect connection with the jungle. There is no denying that all their activities/things can prove that they both complement each other all year round. Nature worship is very important for this indigenous community of Nepal as they are well-known for the consumption of different types of potato types of food growing below the soil as Bhyakur (a type of hard yam, scientifically known as Dioscorea, its plants give flowers also, normally greenish-yellow or white, containing six petals; male and female flowers on the same plant. The flower later gives fruit as soft berries inside a capsule for protection against jungle insects), and Gittha (another kind of a jungle yam called air potato) for survival. This is one of the main reasons why Nature Worship is very important for the Chepang tribal community. For the Chepang tribal people, also listed as one of the endangered tribes on the verge of extinction this festival is an opportunity to savor delicious and new foods. As almost a year-round they normally survive on wild yams. That is why today is considered as a day to change their taste buds by eating fresh and sweet foods. Chonam (Nwagi) festival is associated/connected with the lifestyle and culture of the Chepang people. Today, the shaman (Nwagi Falakne Jhankri) including others also participates to perform cultural dances and songs. Chepang community is especially the native community living in and around the Mahabharat Range (Mahabharat Mountain Range, also known as the lower Himalayan range. Situated mainly in the Inner Terai valley i.e “Bhitri Terai” it is coined as the Lower Himalayan Range. It is enclosed by the Sivalik Hills from the southern part. This range also is believed to have emerged due to the collision of the Indian sub-continent (tectonic plate) with the Eurasian Tectonic plate. The emergence of the mountain range started to form about -+50 million years ago. All the rites of the Chepang community from birth to death are related to the land. Similarly, the names of their own places, villages, streams, cliffs, etc. are also christened from their own chepang dialect. Celebrating the Chonam (Nwagi) festival of the economically and socially backward Chepang tribe as an important celebration will surely boost their morale, and it will certainly help to highlight the importance of festivals of every caste/tribe in Nepal. Since every National Days or Festival like Chonam (Nwagi) festival encompass the identity and culture of all Nepalese. Each and every National Day or Festival is of utmost importance. National Days and Festivals certainly help to awaken a sense of devotion in every Nepalese heart and mind to the interests of every Nepali and Nepal to develop the unity of the country by keeping the same sentiments and harmony towards the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and geographical diversity of the country. Lots and lots of best wishes of Chonam (Nwagi) Parba of Chepang community to all the Chepangs as well as all Nepalese of the country and abroad from the Nepali Patro Team on this occasion. All the Nepali Patro Team send their Best of the Bestest and warmest wishes on behalf of the Chonam (Nwagi) festival of Chepang Community Tribe on this day including all the Nepalese living inside and outside of the countries. Let this festival bring Peace, Happiness, Harmony, Mutual Understanding, Unity, and Social Uniformity among all of us.
Bishwakarma Puja
Bishwakarma Puja and Bastu Diwas. The worship of Lord Bishwakarma, the creator of the three worlds, Heaven, Death (Middle World), and Patal Lok, is celebrated at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of autumn. According to astronomy, Suryadev (sun) enters Virgo (Kanya Rashi) on the day of Biswakarma Puja, which is celebrated on the 1st of Asoj. The importance of Lord Bishwakarma is described in the Rig Veda by writing 11 hymns dedicated to him. Today, the first of Ashwin, the sixth month of the Hindu solar calendar is also known as Aswin Sankranti or Kanya Sankranti. In some places, this day is also called Bishwakarma Jayanti. Although Lord Bishwakarma is often called as son of Lord Brahma, there are different opinions regarding him in different scriptures. According to Nirukta and Brahman/Brahmanas (scripture) Granth, Lord Bishwakarma is described as the son of Bhuvan. Similarly in scriptures like Mahabharat and Harivansh Puran, he is said to be the son of Basu Prabhas and Yoga-Siddha. As described in the Puranas, Bishwakarma is the son of Bastu Dev. Lord Bishwakarma is also the father of three daughters named Barhishmati, Sanjna/sangya, and Chitrangada. According to some scriptures, Lord Bishwakarma is also presented as the husband of Ghritachi. According to a well-known Hindu Traditional belief, in ancient times, Lord Bishwakarma built magnificent palaces for the gods along with arms, weapons, and thrones, etc. He made a trident for Lord Shiva, Sudarshan-chakra for Lord Bishnu, a thunderbolt for Swargaraj Indra, and a KalDanda for Yamaraj the god of death. It is said that he made all these things using the dust of the sun. Similarly, Hindu scriptures also mention that Ravana’s Lanka was built by him as well as Dwarika for Sri Krishna and Indra Prastha for the five Pandavas. Bishwakarma Puja Festival celebration is celebrated today on the day of Kanya Sankranti, including on the day of Kartik Shukla Pratipada (Govardhan Pooja) as well. In Nepal, on the occasion of Dashain, on the day of Mahanavami, i.e. Kalaratri, Biswakarma puja is performed by worshipping weapons, machines, vehicles, and tools of the house by sprinkling blood drops from the animal sacrifice. In the scriptures and Puranas, Lord Bishwakarma is considered to be the god of architectural instruments as well as other instruments. Therefore, it is a custom today to celebrate Bishwakarma Puja in Nepal and in India as well. Whereas there is no custom of animal sacrifice in today’s Bishwakarma puja, as done during the Mahanawami. Hindus worship Bishwakarma today especially in industrial areas including mills, iron goods shops, vehicle shops, and machinery repair workshops. Today, machines are cleaned, painted, and then they are worshiped. Most of these factories etc. are closed today due to the belief that tools and machines should not be used during this day. This day is also celebrated by architects as Bastu/Vastu Day/Diwas. This puja and worship can also be seen as an important day for productivity growth and national prosperity. Since Lord Bishwakarma is a special knower of architectural knowledge, if one worships him and respects his erudition or intellect, there is a belief that one will also attain that quality. Lord Bishwakarma is known as the god who invented craftsmanship and engineering. On this day, it is customary to take a bath in the morning, purify oneself, and worship one’s tools along with factories, etc by chanting the Biswakarma mantra. During the puja process, the idol or picture of Lord Bishwakarma should be placed in the place of worship and a yellow or white flower garland should be offered and incense should be lit including an oil lamp. During the puja, one should take a flower and some akshata in his right hand and recite the mantra given below. After reciting the mantra, flowers, and akchyata should be left in the water. As the method of worship, various instruments, and tools, etc. should be worshipped offering water, akchyata, flowers, sweets, and hawan (fire worship) should / can also be done. Following is the mantra that can be recited while worshiping the god of architecture lord Biswakarma. ॐ आधार शक्ते नमः ॐ कूमयि नमः ॐ अनंतम नमः ॐ पृथिव्यै नमः ॐ श्री सर्व सिद्ध विश्वकर्मा नमो नमः There is a religious belief that if one can please God Bishwakarma by worshiping him, the mechanical devices will not break down and it will not cause any pain to the user. In this way, after chanting the mantra and performing the puja, Biswakarma Puja can be concluded by distributing available offerings (prasad) to all those present at the puja celebration. Worship and puja methods may vary depending on the place of worship and/or the person leading the worship or puja.
नेपालसंग सम्वन्धित तिथि, मिति, धार्मिक चाडपर्व तथा दिवसहरूको सम्पूर्ण जानकारी
Method of planting Tulasi
By Nepali Patro (Sudan Bhattarai Upadhyaya) in Festivals .
Brief Information on Ekadashi
By Nepali Patro (Sudan Bhattarai Upadhyaya) in Festivals .
