Gunlā is the tenth month in the Nepal Sambatlunar calendar, the national lunar calendar of Nepal. It corresponds to August of the Gregorian Calendar. Gunla is a holy month for Newar Buddhists when they recite the scriptures, observe fasts and visit places of worship playing devotional music. It is one of the most important events in Newar Buddhism. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreat dating from the Buddha's time when monks stayed in one place and taught the Dharma. According to traditional beliefs, during primitive times, too much rain would fall. Due to this rain, the mud houses during the time would get devastated, moreover floods and landslides would add melancholy in people's lives. So, in order to downturn the melancholy, and be safe from floods and landslides, people would go toSwayambhu playing the devotional music as it was in an elevation.
Observances
Devotees mark the holy month by making daily early morning pilgrimages to Swayambhu in Kathmandu and other Buddhist temples playing Gunla Bajan music. The musical bands represent various localities of the city. The devout recite the scriptures at home and sacred courtyards. Some undergo fasting. Another devotional activity during Gunla is Dyah Thāyegu when devotees make little stupas out of black clay using a mold.
Major days
Panjarān
Panjaran is the alms giving festival. Males of the Bajracharya and Shakya castes make an alms round of the city and devotees give them rice and money. Shrines are set up with Buddha statues and paubha scroll paintings at private homes, courtyards and on the roadsides from where the gifts are distributed. The event is held on different dates in Kathmandu valley and Lalitpur.
On the first day of the second fortnight of Gunla, large images of the Dipankara Buddha and paubha paintings are put on display in sacred courtyards. The ceremony is known as Bahidyah Bwayegu. On this day in a festival known as Bahidyah Swahwanegu, the musical bands followed by residents of the locality visit the sacred courtyards in a procession to view the exhibits. The festival occurs on the day after the full moon and coincides with the Gai Jatra festival. Another major day for Gunla Bajan societies is the ceremony of Nisala Chhawanegu when they make offerings to Swayambhu, and hold Gunla Bajan concerts at one's neighborhoods.
Baghi
Also on the first day of Gunla in Lalitpur, the sacred early morning rally "Baghi" begins usually from 1:30 in the morning for 4 days. The 4 stupas surrounding Lalitpur namely Lagankhya Thur in Lagankhel, Pucha Thur in Pulchowk, Bagmati Thur in Banglamukhi and Teta Thur in Gwarko are visited turn by turn in 4 days. The rally is accompanied by 4 types of musical bands namely Dha, Khin, Damokhin & Dhime Baja in a row. Each stupa is visited in a day thereby going to sub-stupas and temples visiting a lots of Mahabihars and Bahals. Devotees offer different types of offerings including chocolates, coins, camphor, etc while going around the walk. About 400 - 500 participants participate in this holy walk out of which some are the family and relatives of recent descendants.
Matayā
Matayā is one of the most important religious celebrations in Lalitpur visiting all the stupas visited in Baghi all in a day. The festival celebrates the event when the Buddha overcame Mara, or temptation, and attained the light of wisdom. Devotees visit Buddhist shrines and sacred courtyards in the city in a winding file and offer worship to the images. The participants also consist of musical bands and actors dressed in colorful costumes. The circuitous festival route takes the whole day to complete.
