Lamjung. Until a few years ago, there were roadside shrines and dharamshalas in the hilly villages here. In memory of their departed relatives, it was customary to build shrines and dharamshalas in the shade of trees and on the Deurali hills where travelers would rest. It was believed that by building such a square, especially during Chaitra and Baisakh, pouring water and water into the ghaint would bring about religious benefits.
But now they are history. Only ruins can be seen in some places. Recently, such structures have stopped being built. Even those that were built have collapsed and disappeared due to lack of conservation. With the expansion of the road, historically important places of worship, Pauwa and Dharamshala have disappeared.
82-year-old Buddhiman Shrestha of Shreemanjang, Dordi Rural Municipality-3 said, ‘Until a few years ago, there was no motorable road in the village. Everyone lived in their own homes. There was a tendency to have more faith in religious activities. But now, motorable roads have come to the villages. Earlier, the roads used for fairs or going somewhere have ceased to be used. As the new generation does not care about such things, the custom of keeping water in such chautaras and ghatos has disappeared.’
Unita Gurung of Harrabot, Rainas Municipality-8, said that the custom of keeping water in ghatos is no longer there.
Ram Bahadur Karki of Khudi, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-3 said, ‘Shepherds, passersby, farmers, and porters used to drink the water kept in the chautaras, but now the custom of keeping ‘dharma ghadas’ in the chautaras during the months of Baishakh has disappeared.’ He says that the existing Chautari has also stopped being protected.
To preserve traditional customs, Rishiraj Dawadi and his wife Sumitra Dawadi of Besisahar Municipality-11, Chiti Tilhar have kept cold water in a clay pot in the Chautari. Dawadi says that they keep water in the Chautari to preserve culture and teach the new generation.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्