Gothgaun, Morang: The Bhattarai community of Gothgaun, located in Sundarharaicha Ward No. 7 of Morang district, is organizing a grand Kul Puja (ancestral worship ceremony) on Wednesday, Mangsir 17. This ancestral ritual (Dewali), performed every three years, is held on the occasion of Mangsir Shukla Chaturdashi.
During the event, members of the Bhattarai clan gather for mutual interaction, genealogical introductions, discussions, ancestral worship rituals, and animal offerings. To uphold tradition and preserve their heritage, family members, relatives, and well-wishers from various places enthusiastically participate in the ceremony.
On the main day of the ritual, thousands of Bhattarai family members and relatives from Nepal and abroad are expected to gather at the Devāli shrine in Gothgaun, according to Padmaraj Bhattarai, Chairperson of the Bhattarai Kul Bikash Pratishthan, Gothgaun, Morang.
The Pratishthan had organized the Gothdhup ritual on Mangsir 9, Tuesday. The main Kul Puja Devāli has been confirmed for Mangsir 17, Wednesday. A meeting held on Mangsir 6, Saturday under the chairmanship of Padmaraj Bhattarai made several decisions regarding the event. As per the decision to hold the Gothdhup Vindhyavasini Mahotsav on Mangsir 9, the ritual was successfully conducted with the participation of three Brahmins. More than 500 members of the Bhattarai clan attended the event. Every year during Vivah Panchami, the Vindhyavasini Mahotsav is celebrated. Meanwhile, in Bhulke of Bhojpur district, the Kul Puja Devāli will be conducted on Mangsir 18, Thursday.
According to senior vice-chairperson Praveen Bhattarai, preparations have been made to ensure arrangements for accommodation, toilets, drinking water, electricity, and other essential facilities for guests arriving from various parts of Nepal and abroad for the Devāli in Gothgaun.
For the upcoming ritual, five Brahmins will begin Pulascharan and Veda recitation from Mangsir 14, with the concluding ceremony scheduled for the 17th. The Mahabali (main offering ritual) will commence at 11 AM on the 17th. Receipt distribution for goat offerings will begin early in the morning. Special facilities will also be provided to devotees arriving from distant locations, according to Chairperson Bhattarai. On the same day, 13 Brahmins will perform Hom-Homadi (fire rituals) within the premises. In the early morning, the main ceremonial lamp will be carried around the pavilion with the clan shamans, followed by worship at the Deurali shrine. After the Deurali Puja, the Yagya rituals will proceed. Likewise, two Brahmins will perform the formal inner-pavilion worship until 10 AM.
Vice-chairperson Keshav Bhattarai expressed confidence that there will be unity and participation from all members of the clan to successfully conduct the triennial Kul Puja Devāli.
Last year, around two thousand goats were offered, and the number is expected to increase this year. The five clan shamans will hold special roles during the power-oriented worship and offering rituals. Approximately 80,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony. Various committees have been formed to ensure the smooth execution of the event, Chairperson Bhattarai informed.
Publicity coordinator Shiv Bhattarai Bhojpure stated that the Pratishthan has urged all Bhattarai brothers to arrive on the 16th to assist with preparing the pavilion and to participate formally in the Devāli rituals on the 17th.
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