Harsiddhi's 12-year dance in the Pashupati area

The Harsiddhi dance, which was started during the reign of King Vikramaditya, is being performed in the Pashupati area after 12 years. The Harsiddhi (Jaladyo :) dance is being performed at Jogeshwari Dabli from Friday with the active participation of the original committee. This procession is brought to the Pashupati area from Lalitpur Municipal Corporation Ward No. 28 every 12 years. Crowds of locals and spectators from different parts of the country have flocked to see the procession.

Dilip Baidya, the coordinator of the main committee, informed us that 100 people from Lalitpur Municipal Corporation Ward No. 28 have come to the Pashupati area for the procession. Devgan is accommodated at the Golden Light Party Palace in Chabahil. The committee has stated that Devgan had to be kept in the party palace as various stalls of Jayawageshwari, which were built to accommodate pilgrims from different places including Harsiddhi, were being rebuilt after being damaged by the earthquake on April 29, 2008.

Even if the party is kept in the palace, the accuracy of the procession should not be diminished, said Vaidya. The procession started during the reign of King Vikramaditya but was stopped during his reign. According to Mukunda Raj Vaidya, a cultural expert found in various language genealogies, Amar Malla continued this dance in 1133 BS. Although the dance was started by Amar Malla, it was stopped by King Pratap Malla. Even before 2066 BS, about half a century of pilgrimage had disappeared. Dharma Govinda Maharjan, a resident of Harsiddhi, said that the procession was halted due to a lack of coordination between Guthi Sansthan, Pashupati, and the residents of the Harsiddhi area during the Panchayat period. After 50 years, with the coordination of all three parties, this procession of historical significance has been started again. Now, the committee has committed to continue the procession with the help of the local government and others.

 As mentioned in the history, the cultural expert Vaidya also confirmed that there has been a tradition of lyric drama in Nepal since about two thousand years ago. It is said that the procession will end this evening after completing all the dance methods when Pashupati arrives on Friday. A budget of Rs. 2 million was raised for the Jatra from the Pashupati Area Development Fund, locals, and allies.

 After Harsiddhi Bhavani was enthroned in the ancient Jatal village of Lalitpur, the name of the place remained Harsiddhi. It is mentioned in the Devmala genealogy that after King Bikramsena got the kingdom of Nepal, he took a sword and bridegroom from Guheshwari to Ujjain and lost his enemy there. It is believed that Vikramaditya is ruled by the grace of Harsiddhi Mata, who is worshiped as an adorable goddess.