The month long 12-yearly festival of Halchok Akash Bhairava concluded on Saturday.
On the last day of the festival, Akash Bhairava and other deities were taken from the Agam Ghar (the official place for rituals activities) to the Putuwar settlement both are in Halchok.
The festival was concluded with offering Panchabali to the deities. As per the tradition, Panchabali puja is offered 3 times during the month long 12 yearly festival.
The festival was started on the first day of Baishakh (2025 April 14), after performing puja along with Panchabali at Halchok.
President Ram Chandra Poudel visited Akash Bhairava along with 10 other deities on the first day. He also offered puja and worshipped the masked deities.
After that the group with deities, music instrument players, guthiyars and helpeing hands proceed to Tamsipakha (Naradevi), where they stay for the month.
On the second day, the procession was proceeded from Tamsipakha to Hanumandhoka. Puja and Panchabali was offered at the place in front of the Kaal Bhairava Temple.
During the 12-year festival, dances of Akash Bhairava and others were performed at various places in Kathmandu every day for the month. This has been considered customary for Akash Bhairava, Chandi and Kumari as to bring out into Kathmandu and perform dance during the IndraJatra festival.
There is a tradition of performing this dance at various places in Kathmandu along with other members in the 12 years as well. So as from the third day onwards, Akash Bhairava dances are performed at various places in Kathmandu.
This time, the Akash Bhairav dance was performed in Keltole, Maru, Khusibu, Hanumandhoka, Asan Dabali, Damai Tole, Watu Chikanatah, Nyatapacho, Pahiko Twa, Brahmatole, Tamsipakha, Burankhya, Bahati (Sohrakhutte), Makhan, Nayokha, Jhochhen, Jaisidewal, Dhalko, and Dallu in Kathmandu.
The 12 yearly Halchok Aakash Bhairava jatra long with 9 other masked deities is performed every 12 years in Kathmandu.
Aakash Bhairava is presented as the main deity, while the dances of goddesses including Chandi, Kumari, Parvati, Mahadev, Ganga, Akash Devi, Barahi, Mahakali and Dakshinkali are also performed.
According to the records, this festival was initiated by King Gunakamadeva in Nepal Sambat 107 (1038 years back as of now). The King reportedly had a vision of Mahalakshmi, which inspired him to establish deities, including Aakash Bhairav in Halchok, through tantric practices, to protect his kingdom from crisis. (By Ram Dangol)
